The Chinese embroidery is a traditional folk art that depicts the true picture of China and its people. China is the first country in the whole world to discover the use of silk. In its long history of development Chinese embroidery has become inseparable from silk-reeling and silkworm-raising.
The history of Chinese embroidery is a long one. It has been reported that Chinese embroidery became known to the people of China as early as 4000 years ago. This art became widespread in Han Dynasty. Today, among the many Chinese embroidery handicrafts in China, you will find the oldest embroidery being the one that has been in vogue in Shang Dynasty.
The Chinese embroidery industry boosted the economy of the country. It had become the only good product to export. The rich people in China wore “embroider boudoir” while the poor people took the profession of making embroidered clothes. Many types of embroidery designs have their own cultural values and history.
In Qing Dynasty this type of Chinese embroidery had four sub-types. These sub-types later became four major groups of embroidery design. They are suxiu in Suzhou, xiangxiu in Hunan, yuexiu in Guangdong and shuxiu in Sichuan. You can also find some other types of embroidery in China i.e. jingxiu in Beijing, guxiu in Shanghai etc.
After the Chinese revolution in 1949 the scope of using Chinese embroidery has widened. The art of oil-painting and photography is being used on the embroidery. This has a great effect. Apart from using it as a costume it is now used as table clothes, bed cover, wall hangings, ordinary clothes, screens etc. Chinese embroidery has a very good economic value in the international market.
You can find various types of Chinese embroidery in the market now. Internet is full of information on this.