Get to Know Shu Brocade: An Inch of Shu Brocade, An Inch of Gold
Shu Brocade ranks alongside Yunjin, Song Brocade and Zhuang Brocade as China’s Four Great Brocades. Also hailed as The Mother-of-All Brocades, it takes its name from the ancient Shu region, present-day Chengdu, Sichuan Province.
As early as the Han Dynasty, Chengdu stood as the nation’s central hub for brocade weaving. Merchants shipped Shu Brocade along the Southern Silk Road all the way to Central Asia and Europe, making it a bona fide national luxury of ancient China.
Distinct from ordinary silk fabrics, Shu Brocade relies on the unique ancient technique of pattern coding. Two artisans work in tandem on traditional multi-story wooden jacquard looms, producing merely five centimeters of brocade per workday. This elaborate craft yields fabrics with vivid three-dimensional patterns and long-lasting unfading hues; combinations of scarlet and gold threads render each piece magnificent and opulent.
Today, this nearly 3,000-year-old craft has returned in a revitalized form. It is no longer merely an exhibit locked away in museums, but a breathtaking collectible tailored for minimalist modern interiors.
Artwork: Twelve Koi Fish Circular Shu Brocade Wall Art
Pattern & Auspicious Meaning
This twelve-fish design is an auspicious Shu Brocade pattern restored and created by Master Shi Yu. Set against a solid black brocade background, the circular frame holds twelve scarlet koi fish swimming inward toward the center, surrounding tiny ingot motifs.
• The number twelve stands for the twelve months and twelve time periods of the ancient Chinese calendar, symbolizing smooth fortune and abundance all year round. Koi fish are timeless emblems of wealth and surplus, representing the classic blessing "year after year of plenty".
• The inward-circling fish arrangement symbolizes family reunion, accumulated wealth and harmonious unity. The round shape embodies completeness and perfection, ideal for bringing positive energy to any home.
• The bold contrast of deep black and vivid red delivers a calm yet vibrant aesthetic, matching minimalist wood, light luxury and modern Chinese interior styles perfectly.
Craftsmanship
Hand-woven on antique multi-story wooden jacquard looms with the exclusive Shu Brocade pattern-coding heritage technique, each koi scale is woven in layered raised threads for vivid three-dimensional texture. The scarlet silk retains its bright color permanently. This heavy jacquard brocade is a classic daily decorative collection created by Master Shi Yu and his apprentice.
Interlocking Treasure Blossom Shu Brocade Tea Table Runner
Pattern Introduction
This collection of table runners comes in two colorways: imperial golden yellow and pine green, both woven with the timeless royal Tang-dynasty pattern of interlocking treasure blossoms.
1. Treasure Blossom Motif
The treasure blossom blends shapes of lotus, peony and chrysanthemum, a sacred auspicious pattern favored by ancient emperors and Buddhist culture. It symbolizes perfection, prosperity, peace and good fortune. Each round flower is raised with layered red, blue and gold silk threads for striking three-dimensional texture.
2. Twisting Vine Scrolls
Unbroken winding vines wrap around every floral medallion, representing endless vitality and lasting blessings. The seamless repeating pattern fits perfectly the long strip shape of tea runners.
3. Color Symbolism
• Imperial Gold: The exclusive noble color of ancient Chinese emperors, conveying grandeur and dignity for reception tea rooms.
• Pine Green: Calm and tranquil with strong Zen charm, ideal for minimalist Chinese studies and homestay tea spaces.
Intangible Heritage Craftsmanship
Restored and handcrafted by Master Shi Yu with Shu Brocade’s exclusive pattern-coding technique on antique multi-story wooden jacquard looms. Woven with interlaced gold, silver and colored silk, the fabric is thick, wear-resistant and embossed with vivid raised patterns. Color-locking treatment prevents fading from frequent tea spills, balancing artistic beauty and daily practicality as accessible heritage craft.
Artwork: Li River Autumn Landscape Horizontal Shu Brocade Wall Scroll
Pattern & Artistic Conception
This horizontal Shu Brocade scroll draws inspiration from the natural scenery of Guilin Li River, recreating the artistic charm of traditional Chinese ink wash landscape painting. Layered steep karst peaks stand amid misty river waters, with quiet fishing boats floating on the stream. Banks of scarlet maple trees deliver a strong autumn vibe, complemented by classical calligraphy and seal stamps in the upper left, fully restoring the composition of ancient Chinese landscape paintings.
Cool grey-blue mountain textures contrast vividly with fiery red maple foliage, forming an elegant color palette. Distant mountains are softened by hazy blank space, embodying the timeless oriental aesthetic of artistic blankness. Symbolically, solid mountains stand for stable backing, flowing water gathers wealth, boats represent smooth journeys, and red maples signify good fortune and thriving careers.
Intangible Heritage Craftsmanship
Handcrafted by Master Shi Yu’s team on antique tall wooden jacquard looms via Shu Brocade’s exclusive pattern-coding technique. Multi-layer colored silk threads create raised three-dimensional textures for rock ridges, maple leaves and ripples. Special color fixation treatment prevents fading and oxidation after long-term wall display. The full-length scroll requires an extremely long weaving cycle, classified as a heavyweight landscape heritage collectible. Intricate weaving faithfully reproduces the soft ink blending of traditional Chinese paintings, making it a signature piece of Shu Brocade landscape collection.
Vintage Floral Four-panel Shu Brocade Folding Screen
Pattern & Artistic Charm
This four-fold folding screen features antique floral patterns inspired by meticulous Song Dynasty flower-and-bird paintings. Set against a vintage beige aged brocade base, the four panels form a continuous full scroll painted with peonies, orchid grasses and winding branches. Soft red-green silk threads are interwoven with subtle gold jacquard, creating a mild, scholarly retro texture.
Peonies symbolize wealth and perfection, while orchids stand for elegance and nobility. The seamless extended floral design maintains visual integrity whether folded or fully unfolded. Muted low-saturation tones avoid gaudiness, matching mid-century oriental, tropical retro and Zen log-style interiors perfectly.
Intangible Heritage Craftsmanship
Restored and hand-woven by Master Shi Yu and his apprentice with Shu Brocade’s exclusive pattern-coding technique on antique multi-story wooden jacquard looms, adopting double-layer jacquard weaving. Special aged color fixing treatment mimics the texture of ancient brocade relics. Raised layered textures highlight delicate veins and petals for a distinct embossed effect. Thick, stiff brocade fabric provides excellent light blocking and partition performance, categorized as heavy heritage soft furnishing with museum vintage aesthetics.
