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[Craftsmanship] Hunan Embroidery
Year of Application: 2006
Type: Folk Art
Area: Hunan
No. : Ⅶ--19
Applicant: Changsha, Hunan Province
Hunan embroidery, one of the Four Great Embroideries in China (the four categories are embroidery respectively of Suzhou,Sichuan, Guangdong and Hunan), is world famous for its exquisite technics,unique features and long history. Archeologists have discovered finely embroidered silk items in Changsha Mawangdui Han Toms (206BC-220AD), indicating that more than 2,000 years ago Hunan embroidery craftwork had emerged.
During the long process of development, Hunan embroidery adopted the techniques used in traditional Chinese painting and formed its own unique style. By the end of the Qing Dynasty (the early 20th century), the technics of Hunan embroidery reached its peak and even took the leading position, surpassing Su embroidery.
Hunan embroidery is famous for its tiger patterns. The unique techniques of the Hunan embroidery are generally based on Chinese painting, although it also includes the techniques of engraving,calligraphy, and embroidery. The combination of these techniques produced a new and unique embroidery product, double-faced and with different images and colors on each side of a transparent chiffon, greatly uplifting the artistic value of Hunan embroidery. The main threads used include pure silk, satin,transparent gauze and nylon, etc.
Hunan embroidery is not only highly value artistic crafts, but also slinky and practical commodities. It has won many awards at several international expositions held in Japan, Panama and the US,enjoying high reputation in the international market.