Xu Chiguang, master of Guang (Canton) Embroidery in Guangzhou
Embroidery belongs to one of China's exquisite traditional craftworks and enjoys a history of more than 2000 years. Embroidery made in the Pearl River Delta around Guangzhou in south China is called Guang (Guangdong) embroidery, which could date back to 805 of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
Yue embroidery in Guangdong consists of two branches including Guang style and Chao style.
The four renowned embroideries in China are Yue embroidery from Guangdong province, Xiang embroidery from Hunan, Shu embroidery from Sichuan and Su embroidery from Jiangsu.
During the boom of Guangdong embroidery in the late Ming Dynasty to mid Qing Dynasty (about 1600-1800 A.D.), many merchants from Britain came to these coastal cities in China for business, bringing their own samples for processing.
In 2006, this folk craftwork was incorporated into China's "Intangible Cultural Heritage".
Guang (Canton) Embroidery master Chen Shaofang and her masterpiece
Guang (Canton) Embroidery masters Liang Guikai (L) and Xu Chiguang (R)
