Fascinating Clay-figurines
Jiang's distinguishing characteristics are vividly depicted. People can see
there are some blue veins in his neck, and a murderous look on his face with
raised eyebrows and downward curling lips.
His bulging belly and forbidding countenance seem to show he might show his
bad temper at any time. Such a vivid and bold feature reveals Zhang's adept
skills and a desire to expose and attack those evil forces.
Huishan clay figurines
The Huishan clay figurines of Wuxi, Jiangsu Province are in a different style
and have a long history.
In the slack seasons, nearly all families in Wuxi make clay figurines. When
festivals approaching, many people sell clay figurines at temple
and market fairs.
In the Qing Dynasty, there were some professional clay figurine workshops in
Huishan. Clay figurine artist Wang Chunlin once made five plates of clay
children to the Emperor Qianlong
and received high praise. From Emperor Tongzhi's to Guangxu's reign in the Qing
Dynasty, more opera figurines were produced and Huishan clay figurine production
reached its peak. At that time, there were over 40 clay figurine workshops and
stores in Huishan, with more than 30 professional craft workers. When the
Empress Dowager Cixi celebrated her 60th birthday, the local officer of Huishan
presented a set of clay figurines named Immortality Peach Gathering. From then
on, Huishan clay figurines were officially recognized as articles of tribute to
the imperial court.
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Huishan clay figurines include fine and coarse figurines. Coarse figurines
are made from moulds and produced in large numbers. However, fine figurines are
made by hand in the shapes of oxen, tigers,
the God of Longevity and so on. Generally speaking, Huishan clay figurines are
short in stature, full with big heads, and their facial expressions are vividly
depicted. Bright red, yellow, green and blue colors are applied to them to make
them more distinct and beautiful.
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