The Confucius Institute is hosting an exhibit of Xiang embroidery from Oct. 9 to 12 in the Sean O'Sullivan Theatre.

Xiang embroidery, one of the four great embroideries in China, is world famous for its exquisite techniques, unique features and long history.

And samples of it are coming to Brock next week in an exhibit called From Qing to Republic: Chinese Embroidery from 1644 to 1949.

The showcase, hosted by the Confucius Institute, features a collection of women’s embroidered clothing, including gowns, coats, jackets, waistcoats, pants, and skirts.

It also features a broad range of finery, such as hats, scarves, bags, bibs, collars, cuffs, and lace.

The exhibit covers the imperial, folk, Han and minority ethnics clothing and finery and reflects the combined influence of eastern and western culture on the art and style of embroidery. Most importantly, it vividly represents the embroidery techniques, aesthetics, and charm of the Hunan Xiang Embroidery.

Xiang embroidery uses techniques that are generally based on Chinese painting, although it also includes techniques of engraving, calligraphy and embroidery.

This combination of techniques produces a double-faced product with different images and colors on each side of a transparent chiffon, which greatly uplifted the artistic value of Xiang embroidery. The main threads used include pure silk, satin, transparent gauze and nylon.

The items on display are from the collection of Zou Minne, who has been collecting and studying traditional Hunan Xiang embroidery for more than a decade with his wife.

They have published several books on the topic. Two of their most comprehensive books include Hunan Embroidery and The Soul of Hunan Embroidery -Traditional Embroidery of Taoyuan.

From Qing to Republic runs Oct. 9 to 12 in the Sean O’Sullivan Theatre Lobby. Exhibit hours are Tuesday, 11 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.