[Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]
Su embroidery (Wuxi fine embroidery) was listed among the second batch of national intangible cultural heritage items in 2008.
Origin
Wuxi is one of the important birthplaces of Su embroidery, also known as fine embroidery. As recorded in Shuoyuan (Classic Novel Collection) from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220), embroidered garments have been present in Wuxi for over 2,500 years. In the early 1980s, artists crafted double-sided fine embroidery, which received international recognition.
Features
Wuxi fine embroidery intricately showcases delicate scrolls, exquisite techniques, and the ability to depict figures, scenes, texts, and patterns within a very small space. Unlike standard double-sided embroidery, fine embroidery demands much higher skill levels, especially concerning materials, colors, needles, and threads. The artists are highly talented in both craftsmanship and artistry, often splitting silk threads into 1/80th of their original width, with character heads no larger than a mung bean.
Importance
Wuxi fine embroidery is the earliest recorded form of embroidery in China, documented through theoretical works such as Xiu Pu (The Embroidery Book) from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It represents China's rich costume and decorative arts and is highly valued by scholars, art enthusiasts, and collectors worldwide.
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