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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