A single thread travels through a thousand years.
Each piece of Xiang embroidery is a moment in time preserved in silk.
Xiang embroidery is one of China's four great famous embroideries.
A single thread travels through a thousand years.
Each piece of Xiang embroidery is a moment in time preserved in silk.
Xiang embroidery is one of China's four great famous embroideries.
SWIPE TO EXPLORE
01.
The Origins in Ancient Chu
In 1958, embroidered silk featuring dragon and phoenix motifs was unearthed from a Warring States tomb in Changsha.
The discovery demonstrates the sophistication of silk weaving and embroidery in ancient Chu and reveals an important cultural foundation for the later development of embroidery in Hunan.
Warring States Period
(475-221 BCE)
Dragon and phoenix embroidery
Embroidery from a Chu Tomb
02.
The Development of Han Embroidery at Mawangdui
In 1972, more than forty embroidered garments and textile fragments were excavated from Mawangdui Tomb No. 1 in Changsha.
These works, including Xinqi, Longevity and Cloud-Riding embroidery, demonstrate the remarkable development of silk, pattern and needlework in Han-dynasty Hunan.
Western Han Dynasty
(2nd Century BCE)
Xinqi-Pattern Embroidered
Silk Robe
03.
The Formation of Xiang Embroidery
During the late Qing dynasty, folk embroidery in Changsha and its surrounding areas developed into the distinctive style now known as Xiang Embroidery.
New blended-stitch techniques and finely divided silk threads allowed embroiderers to reproduce the depth and tonal transitions of Chinese painting.
Late Qing Dynasty
(Late 19th Century)
Phoenix and Peony Embroidered
Curtain on Blue Satin
04.
Embroidery Goes Global
In the early twentieth century, Xiang Embroidery became increasingly accomplished in portraiture, birds, flowers and animals.
In 1933, an embroidered portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt created by Changsha’s Jinhuali Embroidery Workshop was displayed at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago. Its remarkable realism brought Xiang Embroidery wider international recog
(Early 20th Century to the 1930s)
Embroidered Portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt
05.
Preservation and Contemporary Revival
Since 1949, Xiang Embroidery has continued to develop through professional research, education and technical innovation.
New approaches, including the hair-like stitch used for lions and tigers and double-sided embroidery with different images, have expanded its expressive possibilities. In 2006, Xiang Embroidery was included in China's first national list of intangible cultural heritage.
Today, the tradition continues through fashion, cultural products, contemporary art and digital presentation.
(1949-Present; National Heritage Recognition in 2006)
Drinking Tiger by Liu Aiyun
step 01
step 02
step 03
step 04
02 / CRAFT
A tiger rendered in silk: directional stitches describe its fur and expression.
Birds and flowers share a richly embroidered composition. =
Carp and hibiscus bring movement and delicate colour to the silk.
Floral details and birds decorate an embroidered sleeve panel.
03 / MOTIFS
MOTIF 01 / 04
Directional stitches describe the fur, light and expression of a tiger.
Look closely at the changes in colour and the direction of the threads. The image takes shape through many small stitches.
MOTIF 02 / 04
Birds and flowers share a richly embroidered composition.
Look closely at the changes in colour and the direction of the threads. The image takes shape through many small stitches.
MOTIF 03 / 04
Carp and hibiscus bring movement and delicate colour to the silk.
Look closely at the changes in colour and the direction of the threads. The image takes shape through many small stitches.
MOTIF 04 / 04
Birds and floral details decorate an embroidered sleeve panel.
Look closely at the changes in colour and the direction of the threads. The image takes shape through many small stitches.
FOUR MOTIFS. COUNTLESS THREADS.
Classic Works
Through the Ages
ARCHIVE / IN FOCUS
如意博古纹湘绣门帘
Flowers, vessels and decorative motifs unfold across a blue ground. Explore the small details, then step back to see how the whole composition holds together.
SELECT A NUMBER TO LOOK CLOSER ↘
DETAIL 01 / 瓶器纹样
The patterned vase brings small geometric details into the larger composition. Compare its outline with the vase on the right.
Click the number again to close −DETAIL 02 / 花叶枝蔓
Pale petals and darker leaves follow branching stems. Their curves soften the straight lines of the objects below.
Click the number again to close −DETAIL 03 / 中央构图
Paired fish-shaped motifs hang within a decorative frame. The central axis brings balance to the objects arranged on either side.
Click the number again to close −DETAIL 04 / 左右呼应
The two vases echo one another without being identical. Follow the differences in their shapes, patterns and surrounding ribbons.
Click the number again to close −WAYS OF LOOKING
Trace a branch, a ribbon or the edge of a vessel. Each line guides the eye into another part of the work.
The open blue ground gives the densely decorated forms room to breathe.
Look for repeated shapes, then discover the small variations that keep the composition alive.
04 / ARCHIVE
XIANG EMBROIDERY / SELECTED WORKS
COLLECTION / 01
COLLECTION / 02
COLLECTION / 03
COLLECTION / 04
COLLECTION / 05
( SWIPE TO EXPLORE ) →
如意博古纹湘绣门帘
向左滑动展开画卷，点击绣面上的编号，发现藏在细节里的构图。
DETAIL 01 / OBJECTS & SPACE
左侧器物与细长的支架构成一组竖向线条。周围留出的蓝色绣地，让轮廓显得清晰而轻盈。
再次点击编号收起 −DETAIL 02 / FLOWERS & LEAVES
浅金色花瓣与深浅绿叶交错。试着顺着枝条移动视线，观察花叶怎样连接左右空间。
再次点击编号收起 −DETAIL 03 / A BALANCED CENTRE
中央框架内悬着成对的鱼形纹样。两侧线条相互呼应，使整幅作品有安定的节奏。
再次点击编号收起 −DETAIL 04 / ECHOES ACROSS THE SILK
右侧花瓶与左侧相互呼应，瓶形和细部却不完全相同。左右滑动，对照它们的差别。
再次点击编号收起 −先看整体，再横向滑动展卷，比较左右两侧的器物、花卉与纹样。
Liu Aiyun
National Representative Bearer of Xiang Embroidery
Zhou Jinxiu
National Representative Bearer of Xiang Embroidery
Cheng Xinxiang
Provincial Representative Bearer of Xiang Embroidery
Li Kaiyun
Master Designer of Xiang Embroidery
Li Yan
Provincial Representative Bearer of Xiang Embroidery
Yang Yingxiu
Master Designer of Xiang Embroidery
Wang Jianyi
Master of Xiang Embroidery
Huang Cuifeng
Master Designer of Xiang Embroidery
05 / LEGACY
Eight makers. A continuing tradition.
National Representative Bearer of Xiang Embroidery
National Representative Bearer of Xiang Embroidery
Provincial Representative Bearer of Xiang Embroidery
Master Designer of Xiang Embroidery
Provincial Representative Bearer of Xiang Embroidery
Master Designer of Xiang Embroidery
Master of Xiang Embroidery
Master Designer of Xiang Embroidery