As one of the four famous brocades in China, Nanjing Yun Brocade was listed as the first batch of national Intangible heritages together with Shu Brocade in Chengdu, Song Brocade in Suzhou and Zhuang Brocade in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region by the State Council and In September 2009, Nanjing Yun Brocade technique was successfully inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Nanjing Yun Brocade Museum was established in the year of 1982 with special funds allocated by the Ministry of Light Industry of the People's Republic of China. It was originally named China Brocade Weaving Craft Exhibition Hall and later renamed Nanjing Yun Brocade Museum. It is managed by the same team as Nanjing Yun Brocade Research Institute Co., LTD. The museum houses a collection of the most representative physical materials of Yun brocade from the Warring States Period to Ming and Qing Dynasties, as well as precious silk cultural relics of various dynasties in China that have been meticulously replicated by Nanjing Yun Brocade Research Institute in recent years. It is a national cultural heritage site with unique cultural connotations and ancient scientific and technological knowledge. Nanjing Yun Brocade Museum was closed for renovation for four months, starting from December 15, 2014. At present, all the designs inside the Museum are derived from historical records, with as brilliant as clouds as the main image design element, which runs through the entire interior of the museum. The focus of the museum is on the display of the production of large-flowered wooden looms of Yun brocade, as well as the reproduction of fine silk cultural relics from various dynasties and the display of various patterns and varieties of Yun brocade decorative flowers. Its time span ranges from the Warring States Period to the Ming and Qing Dynasties and up to modern times. It includes both imperial and folk items, as well as physical objects such as fabrics and clothing. There are currently over a thousand professional physical materials of Yun Brocade available for exhibition, among which a considerable number are important historical relics. There are more than 2,000 copies of Yun brocade drawings and other materials. Nanjing Yun Brocade, enjoying the reputation of Oriental Treasure and a unique wonder of China, has a long history that can be traced back to the 13th year of the Yixi era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty in 417 AD. At that time, an official office dedicated to the management of brocade weaving, the Brocade Bureau, was established in the capital Jiankang, marking the beginning of Nanjing Yun Brocade weaving. After going through the development of Southern Dynasties, Sui and Tang Dynasties, Song and Yuan Dynasties, Nanjing Yun Brocade reached its peak during Ming and Qing Dynasties. Especially during Ming Dynasty, Nanjing became the national weaving center. Jiangning Weaving Bureau was established, specializing in weaving high-quality brocades such as dragon robes for the royal family. From then on, Yun brocade was closely associated with the royal family and became a symbol of nobility and luxury.
The exhibitions at Nanjing Yun Brocade Museum are like a vivid history textbook, leading us through time and space to appreciate the charm of Yun brocade in different historical periods. From the early simple fabrics to the later exquisitely crafted and intricately patterned royal brocade, each exhibit bears witness to the inheritance and evolution of Yun brocade techniques, reflecting the aesthetic concepts and cultural characteristics of the society at that time.Entering Nanjing Yun Brocade Museum, we are able to appreciate the exquisite weaving technique of Yun brocade. Yun brocade is woven using the traditional large tower wooden loom, which is over 4 meters high, 5.6 meters long and 1.4 meters wide. Composed of 1,924 components, it has a complex structure and can be regarded as the peak work of ancient weaving technology. When weaving Yun brocade, two artisans need to work closely together. The one who sits above the loom is the florist is responsible for lifting the corresponding warp thread by pulling the flower rope according to the pattern requirements to form the outline of the pattern, while the one sitting beneath the loom is the weaver, weaves the weft, interweaving various silk threads to complete the weaving of the fabric. The entire process relies entirely on the memory and experience of the artisans. At most, they can only weave 5 to 6 centimeters a day, which is why there is the saying "An inch of brocade is an inch of gold".The museum not only showcases the entire process of Yun brocade weaving, but also provides detailed introductions to the raw material selection, pattern design, dyeing techniques and other links of Yun brocade through various forms such as physical objects, pictures and videos. Visitors can closely observe the fine texture, rich colors and exquisite patterns of Yun brocade, and experience the unique charm of traditional craftsmanship. The museum also boasts a rich and diverse collection of treasures. Among them, the most attractive ones are the imperial dragon robes used exclusively by the royal family. These dragon robes are woven with gold thread, silver thread and colorful silk thread, featuring exquisite patterns and lifelike dragon designs, highlighting the majesty and dignity of the royal family. Each dragon robe has been meticulously designed and woven, embodying the efforts and wisdom of countless artisans, and represents the pinnacle of Yun brocade art.In addition to the dragon robe, the museum also houses a large collection of Yun brocade clothing, hanging screens, cushions and other exhibits. These exhibits cover a wide range of subjects, including myths and legends, historical stories, flowers, birds, fish and insects, etc. They are brightly colored and ingeniously composed, showcasing the rich diversity and infinite charm of Yun brocade art. Meanwhile, the museum has also been actively promoting the integration of Yun brocade with modern life, developing a series of Yun brocade products with both practical and artistic value, such as Yun brocade scarves, Yun brocade handbags, and Yun brocade decorative paintings. These products not only retain the traditional characteristics of Yun brocade but also incorporate modern design concepts, which are deeply loved by consumers and have injected new vitality into the inheritance and development of Yun brocade. Seeing is believing and visiting is a great way to learn and explore.
