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Chinese Embroidery & Textiles

China is well known for its delicate silk threads and has decoratively embroidered textiles for thousands of years. Discovered by the outside world during the Han dynasty, Chinese embroidery and textiles became famous and were traded among the Greeks, Somalis, Romans, Persians, Indians, and Armenians for their beauty and lightweight quality. They were also sought after because they had a tendency to keep a person warm in the winter but cool in the summer.

The production of Chinese silk textiles was once one of the best kept trade secrets. Rearing silkworms to make silk requires care from the egg stage of a silkworm’s life until its cocoon stage. Once the worm reaches cocoon stage, the cocoon must be steamed or baked so that the pupa inside will die, and then dipped into hot water to unwind the cocoon filaments that create the silk threads.

Each region of China had their own distinctive style of embroidery. The oldest known style originates from the Sichuan province. This style is painstakingly precise, characterized by even stitches and subtle colors. The Guangdong province favored more geometric patterns and primary colors. Suzhou also used bright elegant colors, and chose to depict more natural imagery. The Hunan aesthetic, however, was different in that it was black and white.


Quick Facts

  • Historically, if anyone were to attempt to reveal the secrets of silk-making outside of China, or bring silkworms and cocoons out of China, this was considered a crime punishable by death
  • The silkworm diet consisted solely of mulberry leaves, which they ate until becoming very fat. In addition to this mulberry leaf diet, silkworms were also carefully protected from loud noises, drafts, and strong smells
  • The secret of sericulture, the art of silk-making, was let out of China when many Chinese emigrated to Korea in 200 B.C. Since then, trade and travelers spread this art worldwide

Recommended Items at Auction

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Uighur Skullcap Hat, Early 20th C.
Dec 04, 11:00 AM EST
Uighur Skullcap Hat, Early 20th C.
by Material Culture
Est: $200- $500
$2256 Bids
Striped Pangden/Apron, Tibet, Early 20th C., 2'10'' x 3'2''
Dec 04, 11:00 AM EST
Striped Pangden/Apron, Tibet, Early 20th C., 2'10'' x 3'2''
by Material Culture
Est: $300- $500
$4254 Bids
CHINESE EXPORT PATRIOTIC AMERICAN EAGLE SILK EMBROIDERED TEXTILE sight size: 17.75 x 18.75 in.
Dec 08, 12:00 PM EST
CHINESE EXPORT PATRIOTIC AMERICAN EAGLE SILK EMBROIDERED TEXTILE sight size: 17.75 x 18.75 in.
by Potomack Company
Est: $150- $300
$1504 Bids
A SILK MANILA SHAWL WITH BIRDS AND BIG FLOWERS
Dec 07, 9:30 AM CET
A SILK MANILA SHAWL WITH BIRDS AND BIG FLOWERS
by Nagel Auction
Est: €400- €600
€3003 Bids
A Chinese yellow silk embroidered jacket, late Qing Dynasty,
Dec 06, 10:00 AM GMT
A Chinese yellow silk embroidered jacket, late Qing Dynasty,
by Cheffins
Est: £400- £600
£3402 Bids
A QING DYNASTY STYLE WOMENS SILK COAT SET.Z040.
Dec 04, 11:00 AM EST
A QING DYNASTY STYLE WOMENS SILK COAT SET.Z040.
by Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.
Est: $1,800- $2,500
$6501 Bid
A GROUP OF SILKS
Dec 08, 9:30 AM CET
A GROUP OF SILKS
by Nagel Auction
Est: €800- €1,200
€4001 Bid
Woman’s Haka Chin Skirtcloth (hni tial), Early 20th C.
Dec 04, 11:00 AM EST
Woman’s Haka Chin Skirtcloth (hni tial), Early 20th C.
by Material Culture
Est: $200- $400
$1001 Bid
TWO LENGTHS OF BLUE SILK FABRIC FOR DRAGON ROBES
Dec 07, 9:30 AM CET
TWO LENGTHS OF BLUE SILK FABRIC FOR DRAGON ROBES
by Nagel Auction
Est: €2,000- €3,000
€2,0001 Bid
TWO CHINESE EMBROIDERY
Dec 16, 12:00 PM PST
TWO CHINESE EMBROIDERY
by Jumbo Auction House
Est: $300- $600
$201 Bid
Tibetan Wool Nomad Vest, 19th C.
Dec 04, 11:00 AM EST
Tibetan Wool Nomad Vest, 19th C.
by Material Culture
Est: $300- $500
$1501 Bid
Framed fabric artwork on board, Tibetan thousand hand design. Frame approx 96 x 66cm
Dec 07, 7:00 PM AEDT
Framed fabric artwork on board, Tibetan thousand hand design. Frame approx 96 x 66cm
by Bargain Hunt Auctions
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD201 Bid
A POLYCHROME SADDLE BLANKET
Dec 08, 9:30 AM CET
A POLYCHROME SADDLE BLANKET
by Nagel Auction
Est: €1,000- €1,001
€5001 Bid
Chinese Qing Period Embroidered Silk (3pc)
Dec 09, 4:00 PM EST
Chinese Qing Period Embroidered Silk (3pc)
by J. James Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $300- $600
$1501 Bid
PAIR CHINESE QING SILK EMBROIDERIES
Dec 07, 10:00 AM GMT
PAIR CHINESE QING SILK EMBROIDERIES
by Sheppards
Est: €100- €150
€601 Bid
A LADY'S SILK MAST OVERROBE WITH EMBROIDERED AND WOVEN BORDERS
Dec 08, 9:30 AM CET
A LADY'S SILK MAST OVERROBE WITH EMBROIDERED AND WOVEN BORDERS
by Nagel Auction
Est: €200- €300
€1001 Bid
FEATHERS AND SILK ORNAMENTS
Dec 08, 9:30 AM CET
FEATHERS AND SILK ORNAMENTS
by Nagel Auction
Est: €250- €350
€1201 Bid
Keriya Hat, Mid 20th C.
Dec 04, 11:00 AM EST
Keriya Hat, Mid 20th C.
by Material Culture
Est: $200- $500
$1001 Bid
AN EMBROIDERED BLUE-GROUND RANK BADGES OF RED-CROWNED CRANE, BUZI
Dec 12, 1:00 PM PST
AN EMBROIDERED BLUE-GROUND RANK BADGES OF RED-CROWNED CRANE, BUZI
by China Arts Auction
Est: $4,500- $6,500
$8501 Bid
China Gardinenband, Borte.
Dec 13, 10:00 AM CET
China Gardinenband, Borte.
by Kiefer Buch- und Kunstauktionen
Est: €120- €180
€1200 Bids
Shishi Seidentuch.
Dec 13, 10:00 AM CET
Shishi Seidentuch.
by Kiefer Buch- und Kunstauktionen
Est: €100- €150
€1000 Bids
Fu, Lu, Shou Seidenbehang.
Dec 13, 10:00 AM CET
Fu, Lu, Shou Seidenbehang.
by Kiefer Buch- und Kunstauktionen
Est: €120- €180
€1200 Bids
Woman’s Haka Chin Tube Skirt, Early 20th C.
Dec 04, 11:00 AM EST
Woman’s Haka Chin Tube Skirt, Early 20th C.
by Material Culture
Est: $200- $400
$1000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Chinese Embroidery & Textiles


Nagel Auction

Nagel Auction

Designer Homes of Central Florida

Designer Homes of Central Florida

Galerie Zacke

Galerie Zacke