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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 attempleand 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 EmperorQianlongand 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.

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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