Shu Embroidery

A Brief Introduction to Shu Embroidery

Shu Embroidery, also called Chuan Embroidery, is the overall name of the embroidered things produced in Sichuan and Chongqing. Shu Embroidery, together with Su (Jiangsu) Embroidery, Xiang (Hunan) Embroidery and Yue (Guangdong) Embroidery are hailed as the "China's Four Most Famous Embroideries". On the 20th May 2006, Shu Embroidery was added to the first "State-level Non-material Cultural Heritage List" by the State Council.

History of Shu Embroidery

The history of Shu Embroidery is as long as that of Shu Brocade. They both sprouted from the wisdom and innovativeness of ancient Shu's forefathers.

According to the record, the earliest king in Shu had mastered the skill to breed silkworms. In the transitional period from the late Han Dynasty to Three Kingdom Period, Shu Embroidery had been well-known. As precious and expensive silk fabrics, Shu people always exchanged them with battle steeds and other materials, thus becoming the main resource of finance and pillar of economy. In late Tang Dynasty, Nanzhao attacked Chengdu and pillaged lots of gold, Shu Brocade, Shu Embroidery as well as many Shu Brocade and Shu Embroidery craftsmen and regarded them as pearl. In Song Dynasty, the fame of Shu Embroidery had spread to the whole China.

Primarily, Shu Embroidery was populated in the folk and was passed down from generation to generation. In the middle of Qing Dynasty, Shu Embroidery industry was formed and was especially famous in the Jiulong Lane and Kejia Lane of Chengdu.

Shu Embroidery Art

Shu Embroidery is one of the Four Famous Embroideries of China which features for its unique stitching ways and skills. It can be summed up as "serious and delicate stitch, elegant colors of the delicate and pretty, graceful flowing lines of Chinese ink painting style". Shu Embroidery has over 100 ways of delicate stitching ways such as Bars needle, covers needle, double-faced embroidery etc. and is made of soft silk fabrics and colorful filaments.

The craftsmanship of Shu Embroidery involves a combination of fine arts, aesthetics and practical uses. The present products include both luxurious and precious artwork for appreciation and practical daily necessities such as the facings of quits, pillowcases, coats, shoots and screen covers.