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Beijing Silk Figurines
The graceful and colorful Beijing silk figurines are exquisitely made, each with
a different expression, bright colors and an elegant style. They are not only a
rare specimen for indoor ornamentation, but also a stereoscopic piece for
understanding Chinese history, local conditions and customs. For a long time,
Beijing silk figurines have been greatly valued and highly appreciated as
collector's items.
 An ardent female artist
 Cui Xin is a Beijing silk figurine artist who has been
engaged in the craft for more than 20 years. The subjects of her works are
mainly maidens from royal courts, talented scholars and beautiful women (often
heroes and heroines from traditional Chinese romances), as well as gods and
Buddha. Cui Xin also molds modern figurines, representing people from ethnic
minorities and famous foreigners.
Physically disabled due to infantile paralysis at the age of two, Cui was
unable to pursue her schooling, but she continued her hobby of making silk
figurines. Later, Cui mastered the procedure when she worked in a factory that
produced artistic human figurines.
Cui loves the craft of silk figurines very much and spends
most of her time making them. Usually, it takes her a long time to complete the
head of just one figurine.
The eyes are the most important part of the craft, which give the figurines
their lifelike appeal. After more than 20 years of practice and study, Cui
categorizes the eyes of silk figurines into several categories: smiling eyes,
gazing eyes, pretty eyes, eyes with a "martial spirit," eyes with tears in them,
and so on, to vividly portray the different characters of various figures. After
drawing the eyes, ears, mouth, nose and body of a figurine, Cui then maps out
the hair.
The hair of a silk figurine is made of very thin
threads, which should be evenly covered on the mold of its head. The next step
is to arrange the hair into a bun.
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