Horsehair Embroidery

Horsehair Embroidery

　　Horsehair Embroidery

　　Throughout the long course of history, the ingenious women of the Shui ethnic group have created a rich and colorful array of traditional handicrafts. Among them, the renowned Shui horsehair embroidery stands out as unique, hailed as a "living fossil" of Chinese embroidery and regarded as a marvel of the world.

　　The materials used in horsehair embroidery are carefully selected, and the craftsmanship is intricate. Generally speaking, embroidering a single piece requires over ten procedures and takes more than a month to complete. What makes horsehair embroidery unique among various types of embroidered artworks is its use of horsehair threads. It still employs ancient techniques such as random stitch and stab stitch. The embroidery process begins by wrapping 3 to 5 strands of horsehair with snow-white silk thread. These wrapped horsehair threads are then seamlessly connected and embroidered stitch by stitch onto the base fabric according to the desired pattern. The threads are inlaid strand by strand to form a variety of exquisite patterns, which are then enriched with colorful silk threads to enhance their vibrancy. Finally, small golden copper pieces are used to embellish the piece, creating a sparkling, dazzling effect. The entire embroidered work resembles a colorful bas-relief, exquisitely beautiful.