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Is anyone familiar with 100% hand-made silk embroidery from China?

I just discovered this unique, 2,000 year-old handicraft while traveling in China last October. I have learned since then that it can take anywhere from 2 months to 2 years by 1 or several embroiderers combined to create a piece(or work). Also, artists take 1 silk strand and split it into several thinner strands; the size depends on the fineness of quality desired by the artist.

I have seen 'works' on the internet and in person. I am simply impressed by silk embroidery works. In my opinion, their appearance matches and even surpasses that of oil paintings. From up close, your eye notices the intricate needlework stitching yet - from a distance - it appears like a sharply, colorful 3-D photograph.

Is anyone familiar with or have experience with "silk embroidery"? Would you like to learn more about this "Hidden Oriental Jewel"? If yes to either question, I would love to hear from you.

Reply to
Silkembroideryman
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I am always interested in unusual embroideries. I have two Chinese silk works and, yes, they are stunningly beautiful and meticulously stitched.

I have been corresponding with a gentleman who is studying Japanese embroidery. The techniques are interesting to learn. Each Asian country seems to have a similar technique. A book by Chung ("Painting with a Needle") outlines many of the techniques. But it is difficult and requires a LOT of practise and patience.

Dianne

Silkembroideryman wrote:

Reply to
Dianne Lewandowski

I have no particular knowledge of the good stuff, though I have seen and admired some exquisite pieces in museums. A few years back, the DeYoung hosted the big Chinese art show, and I drooled over some of the sumptuous and detailed work. I've seen pictures in books and on the web, but never have touched any 'up close and personal'.

What I _have_ seen, in my years of retail adventures in the San Francisco bay area, are some _very_ good, inexpensive, and plentiful knock-offs. Many of the better Asian import stores carry beautiful, contemporarily made textiles from China, including some gorgeous embroidery and needlepoint.

The reason I write this is that of late, I have seen some of these inexpensive pieces showing up on the internet auction sites and being sold for prices that indicate that neither the buyer nor the seller know what they are. It bothers me when I see something being sold for a hundred dollars when I know I can run down to Chinatown and get it for ten. So, just a word of warning...if you see something that you _just love_ and want to buy...BE CAREFUL!

Lynda

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Sometimes I think war is God's way of teaching us geography." ..................Paul Rodriguez..................................... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reply to
Lynda Wiener

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