Silk and Brocade

戚光英Modern Press · ChinaOct 2025

Rating 3.5
Word count
78K words
Chapters
30
ISBN
9787514330472

Tags

Fashion Weaving CraftSplendid TextilesTraditional AestheticsCultural ChangeFashion CultureFolk Customs

Summary

The report of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China stated: "Culture is the lifeblood of a nation and the spiritual home of the people. To complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, we must promote the great development and flourishing of socialist culture, set off a new upsurge in socialist cultural development, enhance the soft power of our national culture, and give play to the role of culture in leading trends, educating the people, serving society, and driving development.

Editor's review

Co-authored by Xiao Dongfa and Qi Guangying, Silk and Brocade is a thematic work focused on the inheritance of Chinese silk culture and the aesthetics of craftsmanship. Through detailed historical documentation and craft analysis, the book systematically presents a complete body of knowledge about silk from raw material to finished product, tracing silk's historical standing along the ancient Silk Road while carefully explaining the evolution of core techniques such as weaving, dyeing and printing, and embroidery. Xiao Dongfa, a seasoned publisher with deep experience in cultural communication, and Qi Guangying, who has notable achievements in textile craft research, together ensure that the content is both academically rigorous and readable. In an illustrated format, the book translates specialized knowledge—silk's material properties, the meanings of patterns, and regional schools—into clear, accessible narrative, vividly explaining in particular the differences and distinctive features of brocade, satin, damask, and gauze. Reading this book not only deepens understanding of silk as an important symbol of Chinese civilization but also conveys, through craft details, the wisdom and aesthetic pursuits of traditional artisans. For readers who wish to systematically understand silk culture or who are interested in textile crafts and design aesthetics, this is a clearly structured, moderately dense introductory-to-intermediate read.

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Reading tips

  1. Use the chapters on fabric classification to compare textures against physical objects or high-resolution images
  2. Consult the glossary in the appendix to better understand technical terms
  3. If interested in a particular historical period, jump to the relevant chapters first

About the publisher

Modern Press China · Founded in 1982

Founded in 1982, Modern Press is a Chinese publisher that serves general readers across a diverse range of subjects. Judging from its catalog, its publishing focuses on classical poetry, Eastern philosophy, psychological research and application, popular science, and modern poetry, along with history, biography, and children's books. The Book of Songs, the illustrated vernacular edition of the Classic of Mountains and Seas, The Complete Poems of Dai Wangshu, and Buddhism in the Vegetable Roots reflect efforts to make traditional culture and poetry accessible; works by Carl Gustav Jung such as The Development of Personality and Understanding Your Psychological Type, together with titles from the Ivy International Education Alliance, show sustained attention to psychology and educational reading; and Stephen Hawking's works and the illustrated two-volume Brief History of Everything and A Brief History of Time indicate a commitment to popular science. Its authors include figures such as Qu Wanli, Xu Ke, Dai Wangshu, and Jung, and its publishing emphasizes retelling classics and accessible, illustrated presentation. Because public information is limited, this summary is based only on the titles in our catalog.

Contents

  1. 版权信息
  2. 文前
  3. 美的源泉
  4. 嫘祖育蚕治丝的故事
  5. 古代蚕桑丝织业的发展
  6. 古代的蚕丝纺织技术
  7. 日趋完善的丝织机具
  8. 历代丝织品的典型特点
  9. 丝绸与纺织技艺的外传
  10. 华夏神韵
  11. 蓬勃发展的汉代丝绸业
  12. 高度发达的唐宋丝绸
  13. 元明清丝绸业的发展
  14. 明清著名绸制品与工艺
  15. 中华一绝
  16. 两汉时的织锦与刺绣
  17. 唐代经锦和纬锦的风采
  18. 两宋织锦与缂丝工艺
  19. 元代特色金锦纳石矢
  20. 明清时期的南京云锦
  21. 明清时期的苏州宋锦
  22. 民族风格鲜明的壮锦
  23. 闪亮时代
  24. 古代缎类纺织的发展
  25. 传统缎织物品种及特点
  26. 清代织锦缎工艺的发展
  27. 多彩织品
  28. 古代绫绢纱罗绒丝织物
  29. 古代麻棉纺织业的发展
  30. 我国古代民间的布艺

FAQ

Does the book include hands-on steps for making silk? The book focuses on cultural history and craft principles rather than serving as a practical guide, though it does break down key production processes with illustrations.
Does the content cover the modern silk industry or innovative design? It mainly focuses on traditional crafts and historical development, with limited mention of contemporary developments; it is suitable as a foundational reader.
Are the images in the book printed in color? According to edition information, the book includes color illustrations that present silk patterns and craft details well.

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About the author

戚光英 Author

Qi Guangying is a Chinese author whose works span a wide range of subjects. Public information about the author is limited, and details such as dates of birth and death, nationality, and educational background are not clearly recorded. Fifteen of the author's works are held in the collection, covering categories including architecture, culture, fashion, popular science, examinations, and inspirational growth, which indicates considerable versatility across fields. Representative works include Splendid Gardens: Features and Famous Gardens of Northern China, Embroidered Beauty of China, Silk and Brocade, Benevolence and Filial Piety, and Modesty and Good Manners. The writing is generally aimed at general readers, with plain language and an emphasis on organizing knowledge and popularizing culture. The author is skilled at turning specific topics such as garden architecture, silk embroidery, and traditional virtues into clear, readable narratives, forming a fairly consistent style in books on traditional culture and popular science.