Embroidery, also named as silk embroidery, is time-honored that shares equal importance with noil twill and kesi in the history of Chinese arts. However, noil twill and kesi are by weaving, while embroidery is by embroidering. Three of them are outstanding contribution that the ancient Chinese female made in cultural arts.
Embroidery, also named as silk embroidery, is time-honored that shares equal importance with noil twill and kesi in the history of Chinese arts. However, noil twill and kesi are by weaving, while embroidery is by embroidering. Three of them are outstanding contribution that the ancient Chinese female made in cultural arts.
Four representatives of Chinese embroideries are Suzhou embroidery, Xiang embroidery, Guangdong embroidery and Sichuan embroidery.
Suzhou EmbroiderySuzhou embroidery is famous for its nicety and elegance with more than 2000 years’ history till now. with simple composition of picture and prominent theme, the feature of its skills can be conclude as “flat, clean, fine, dense, even, smooth, harmonious and glazed”. Reversible embroidery is work that embroiders at both sides with same patterns. In 1915, Suzhou embroidery got a good reputation in Panama International Fair.
Xiang Embroidery
Originated from Chu State, it became the main form of arts in Qing dynasty. On the basis of Hunan civil embroidery, it introduced the predominance of Suzhou and Guangdong embroidery. Meanwhile, the patterns of Xiang embroidery borrow ideas from traditional Chinese painting which are almost water, mountain, figure, 
flower, bird and wild animals. The lion and tiger patterns are extremely famous which are full of power and strength. And Xiang embroidery won the best award in the Torino World Fair in Italy in 1912 and the First award in the Panama World Fair in 1933. Xiang embroidery is known abroad as the ideal embroidery.
Guangdong Embroidery
Guangdong embroidery is from Guangdong originated from Li minority. It is a unique phenomenon that most of its workers are male. And when working on large embroidery, the workers may stand with a large needle. Meanwhile, the products mainly include hanging panel and mirror screen as well as some small works as pouch, accessory, circular fan and fan sheath, most of which are kept in the Summer Palace.
Sichuan Embroidery
It is a total name of all works from Sichuan. Sichuan embroidery has a strong expressive force and art affect with its unique skills. Influenced by geography, customers, and cultural art, it has a continuous development with rigid pattern and vibrant color. Therefore, people conclude Sichuan embroidery as “strict & exquisite stitch, delicate & simple color, beautiful & elegant streak and the style of Chinese painting”.