Shu Embroidery

蜀 繡

Also called Chuan embroidery, Shu embroidery is the general name for embroidery products in areas around Chengdu, Sichuan Province.

蜀繡也稱"川繡"，它是以四川成都為中心的刺繡產(chǎn)品的總稱。

Shu embroidery enjoys a long history. As early as the Han Dynasty, Shu embroidery was already famous. The central government even designated an office in this area for its administration. During the Five Dynasties and Ten States periods (907-960), a peaceful society and large demand provided advanced conditions for the rapid development of the Shu Embroidery industry. Shu embroidery experienced its peak development in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), ranking first in both production and excellence. In the mid-Qing Dynasty, the Shu embroidery industry was formed. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Shu embroidery factories were set up and the craft entered a new phase of development, using innovative techniques and a larger variety of forms.

蜀繡的生產(chǎn)具有悠久的歷史。早在漢代（公元前206～公元220年），蜀繡之名就已譽滿天下，漢朝政府還在成都專門設置了"錦官"進行管理。漢以后至五代十國時期（公元907～960年），四川相對安定的局面為蜀繡的發(fā)展創(chuàng)造了有利的條件，社會需求的不斷增大，刺激了蜀繡業(yè)的飛速發(fā)展。到了宋代（公元960～1279年），蜀繡的發(fā)展達到鼎盛時期，繡品在工藝、產(chǎn)銷量和精美程度上都獨步天下。清朝（公元1644～1911年）中葉以后，蜀繡逐漸形成行業(yè)，當時各縣官府均設"勸工局"以鼓勵蜀繡生產(chǎn)。新中國成立后，在四川設立了成都蜀繡廠，使蜀繡工藝的發(fā)展進入了一個新階段，技術上不斷創(chuàng)新，品種日益增多。

Originating among the folk people in the west of Sichuan Province, Shu embroidery formed its own unique characteristics: smooth, bright, neat and influenced by the geographical environment, customs and cultures. The works incorporated flowers, leaves, animals, mountains, rivers and human figures as their themes. Altogether, there are 122 approaches in 12 categories for weaving. The craftsmanship of Shu embroidery involves a combination of fine arts, aesthetics and practical uses, such as the facings of quilts, pillowcases, coats, shoes and screen covers.?

蜀繡起源于川西民間，在長期的發(fā)展過程中，由于受地理環(huán)境、風俗習慣、文化藝術等方面的影響，逐漸形成了嚴謹細膩、光亮平整、構圖疏朗、渾厚圓潤、色彩明快的獨特風格。蜀繡作品的選材豐富，有花草樹木、飛禽走獸、山水魚蟲、人物肖像等。針法包括12大類共122種，常用的針法有暈針、鋪針、滾針、截針、摻針、沙針、蓋針等，講究"針腳整齊，線片光亮，緊密柔和，車擰到家"。繡品的種類繁多，包括被面、枕套、衣、鞋和畫屏等，既有巨幅條屏，又有袖珍小件，是觀賞性與實用性兼?zhèn)涞木浪囆g品。