湘 绣

　　Xiang embroidery is well known for its time-honored history, excellent craftsmanship and unique style. The earliest piece of Xiang embroidery was unearthed at the No 1 Tomb of Mawangdui, Changsha City of the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220). The weaving technique was almost the same as the one used in modern times, which demonstrated that embroidery had already existed in the Han Dynasty。

　　作为中国四大名绣之一的湘绣，向来以历史悠久，工艺精湛，风格独特而闻名海内外。迄今为止发现的最早的湘绣制品，是长沙马王堆一号汉代(公元前206年～公元220年)墓葬出土的一件丝织品，它所使用的针法与现代湘绣所差无几，说明早在两千多年前的汉代，湘绣工艺就已经产生了。

　　In its later development, Xiang Embroidery absorbed the characteristics of traditional Chinese paintings and formed its own unique characteristics. Xiang embroidery experienced its heyday at the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and in the early Republic of China (early 20th century)， even surpassing Su embroidery. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Xiang embroidery was further improved and developed to a new level。

　　此后经过漫长的发展，湘绣逐渐将国画传统特点引入其中，从而形成了自身的独特风格。至清末民初(20世纪初期)，湘绣的发展达到鼎盛时期，甚至超越了苏绣，在中国刺绣业中独占鳌头。新中国成立后，湘绣工作者在继承传统的基础上致力创新，使湘绣工艺提高到一个崭新的水平。

　　Xiang embroidery uses pure silk, hard satin, soft satin and nylon as its material, which is connected with colorful silk threads. Absorbing the spirit of Chinese paintings, the embroidery reaches a high artistic level. Xiang embroidery crafts include valuable works of art, as well as materials for daily use。

　　湘绣主要以纯丝、硬缎、软缎、尼纶等为原料，配以各色的丝绒线绣制而成。它以中国画为神，充分发挥针法的表现力，达到构图严谨，形象逼真，色彩鲜明，质感强烈，形神兼备的艺术境界。绣品中既有名贵的欣赏艺术品，也有美观适用的日用品。