Su Embroidery

Su embroidery (su xiu 苏绣) is the most superior style of Chinese silk embroidery. The name comes from its origin in Suzhou China. Su embroidery is crafted from the finest silk threads. Su embroidery is characterized by its distinct stitching techniques. There are 40 different kinds of stitches and the style makes use of split silk threads. The subjects of Su embroidery include nature and traditional landscapes. From the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD) to the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), birds, flowers, koi fish, horses and tigers were popular embroidery motifs.

With social and political unrest in the early to mid-1990s China's embroidery industry crumbled. Su embroidery and other artisan crafts didn't resurface until China started reopening to the world in the 1980s. Today, governments have taken the initiative to establish specialist Su embroidery research centers, workshops and museums in an effort to revive the "lost" art form. Silk embroidery classes in grade schools and courses in fine arts try to draw youth interest in the ancient craft. Because of Western influence, Su embroidery adopted many of their artistic styles and techniques. Today, it is not rare to see Su embroidery of impressionist paintings, realistic portraits or contemporary oriental art.

 

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