Antique Chinese embroidery needlework on silk depicting a colorful bird. Signed and inscribed upper left. Framed. Circa:1890s-1900s. The art of embroidery was widespread throughout China in the Han Dynasty (BC 206–AD 220). Four distinctive styles, or schools, of embroidery, emerged at that time, though each would reach its pinnacle after the blossoming of the Silk Road trade created a demand for Chinese goods. Asian embroideries on silk and collectibles.