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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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Miao Headdress - Bridal or Alpaca Crown
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May 22, 10:30 AM BST
A Chinese Kesi weave 'Mang Dragon' Table Frontal
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Est: £800- £1,200
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A cushion with Chinese embroidered ranking badge, 19th century
Jun 02, 9:00 AM EDT
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Chinese Silk Embroidered Dragon Chair Cover, Late Qing Dynasty
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Chinese Qing Embroidered Silk Rank Badge
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Est: $900- $1,800
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Jun 02, 9:00 AM EDT
Two Chinese red-ground brocades, 19th century
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A bolt of Chinese brocaded satin, late 19th century
Jun 02, 9:00 AM EDT
A bolt of Chinese brocaded satin, late 19th century
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Est: $100- $200
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Four pieces of Chinese embroideries, 19th century
Jun 02, 9:00 AM EDT
Four pieces of Chinese embroideries, 19th century
by Oakridge Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $200
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A pair of Chinese apricot yellow-ground 'floral' embroideries, 19th century
Jun 02, 9:00 AM EDT
A pair of Chinese apricot yellow-ground 'floral' embroideries, 19th century
by Oakridge Auction Gallery
Est: $500- $800
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Resist-Dyed Patchwork Horse Cover, Tibet, Early 1900s, 2'10'' x 4'3''
May 28, 11:00 AM EDT
Resist-Dyed Patchwork Horse Cover, Tibet, Early 1900s, 2'10'' x 4'3''
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Est: $300- $500
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Two Chinese red-ground embroidery pieces, late 19th century
Jun 02, 9:00 AM EDT
Two Chinese red-ground embroidery pieces, late 19th century
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A Chinese blue-ground kesi 'cloud and dragon' embroidery, early 19th century
Jun 02, 9:00 AM EDT
A Chinese blue-ground kesi 'cloud and dragon' embroidery, early 19th century
by Oakridge Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $200
$1001 Bid
A Chinese kesi ranking badge, early 19th century
Jun 02, 9:00 AM EDT
A Chinese kesi ranking badge, early 19th century
by Oakridge Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $200
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A fragment of Chinese brocade garment trim, 19th century
Jun 02, 9:00 AM EDT
A fragment of Chinese brocade garment trim, 19th century
by Oakridge Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $200
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A Chinese blue-ground brocade 'dragon' apron, 19th century
Jun 02, 9:00 AM EDT
A Chinese blue-ground brocade 'dragon' apron, 19th century
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Est: $100- $200
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Large Group of Southwestern Chinese Miao Textiles
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Large Group of Southwestern Chinese Miao Textiles
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Chinese Rank Badge Golden Pheasant w Coral Beads
May 28, 12:00 PM EDT
Chinese Rank Badge Golden Pheasant w Coral Beads
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Est: $100- $1,000
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Antique Chinese Silk Embroidered Roundels
May 28, 11:00 AM EDT
Antique Chinese Silk Embroidered Roundels
by Material Culture
Est: $400- $600
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A Chinese Silk Embroidered Civil Rank Badge, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century
Jun 02, 6:00 PM AEST
A Chinese Silk Embroidered Civil Rank Badge, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD200- AUD400
AUD1001 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Chinese Embroidery & Textiles


Oakridge Auction Gallery

Oakridge Auction Gallery

Material Culture

Material Culture

Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales

Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales