Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c5.s2.t13.1

v1.c5.s2.t13.1

Embroidery in China is a form of textile art going back to ancient times. Embroidered Chinese textiles, especially silk, always constituted a valued item of export to other countries. However, it is only in the 19ᵗʰ century CE that Chinese embroidery found a ready market in India and came to influence Indian textile traditions. This was a result of the maritime trade between China and western India and especially Bombay (Mumbai) in that period. Indian merchants of the Parsi community were very active in this trade and travelled regularly to Canton, Macau and Hong Kong. In this period, a flourishing export art industry, including embroidery, had developed around Canton that catered to the tastes of European and other foreign merchants. Parsi merchants visiting Canton were struck by the beauty and fine workmanship of the Chinese embroiderers and they started to purchase embroidered silk pieces to take back home. As the demand for Chinese embroidered goods began to grow in India, visiting Parsi merchants began to commission Chinese embroiderers to produce goods according to the needs and tastes of their community.