Hand Embroidered Shantou Handkerchief - SWATOW [Heritage 4203

Early 18th century.
Shantou, the city where droning work technology was brought by Italian missionaries. It is an old port town facing the coast in the southern part of mainland China, where at that time there was an idyllic atmosphere with Chinese sailing ships called "junks" anchored in the harbor. In this area, many women were engaged in handicraft work as domestic jobs.

European traditional embroidery techniques were brought to Shantou, and the ancient Chinese designs of phoenixes and dragons were fused with Western sensibilities to establish "Shantou embroidery" as one of the three major embroideries in China.

Women grow up watching their mothers stitch needles from a young age and learn to hold the needles by watching and imitating, and by the age of five, they can do simple embroidery by themselves. By the time they are 15 years old, many of them are involved in embroidery work. They have embroidery frames made of bamboo or rattan, needles, thread, and scissors. Using only a frame made of bamboo or rattan, a needle, thread, and scissors, the embroiderer inserts the needle at an astonishing speed and beautifully finishes even the most intricate designs using more than 100 different embroidery techniques. 

In this way, the technique was handed down from mother to daughter for more than 200 years. The fact that many of the designs are still the same as when they were brought from Europe adds to the antique charm.

This Shantou handkerchief conveys the excellence of handcraftsmanship. The use of natural fibers makes the handkerchiefs highly absorbent and practical, which is also a big attraction. Unfortunately, with modernization, this tradition has almost died out.Please take a look at the Shantou handkerchiefs, which are becoming increasingly rare.

Column: Shantou hand-embroidered handkerchief "Fine and neat square" >.

If you wish to have it wrapped, please purchase a package for a fee.
Please note that initial embroidery is not available for this handkerchief. Please note that initial embroidery is not available for this handkerchief.

29 x 29cm65% cotton Linen35 % embroidery thread: 100 % cottonmade in china