中華文化精粹:“四大名繡”之湘繡
Xiang Embroidery（湘 繡）
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.
作爲中國四大名繡之一的湘繡，向來以歷史悠久，工藝精湛，風格獨特而聞名海內外。迄今爲止發現的最早的湘繡製品，是長沙馬王堆一號漢代(公元前206年～公元220年)墓葬出土的一件絲織品，它所使用的針法與現代湘繡所差無幾，說明早在兩千多年前的漢代，湘繡工藝就已經產生了。
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.
此後經過漫長的發展，湘繡逐漸將國畫傳統特點引入其中，從而形成了自身的獨特風格。至清末民初(20世紀初期)，湘繡的發展達到鼎盛時期，甚至超越了蘇繡，在中國刺繡業中獨佔鰲頭。新中國成立後，湘繡工作者在繼承傳統的基礎上致力創新，使湘繡工藝提高到一個嶄新的水平。
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。
湘繡主要以純絲、硬緞、軟緞、尼綸等爲原料，配以各色的絲絨線繡制而成。它以中國畫爲神，充分發揮針法的表現力，達到構圖嚴謹，形象逼真，色彩鮮明，質感強烈，形神兼備的藝術境界。繡品中既有名貴的欣賞藝術品，也有美觀適用的日用品。
