Exquisite Chinese dough figurines are a deeply enchanting aspect of Chinese folk art. On the streets of many Chinese cities, vendors can be seen selling exquisite dough figurines which usually draws a big crowd. With a history of over 1,300 years, this originally folk art is now practiced by many highly skillful professional artists. Find a personal shopping assistant to go on a personal tour in Beijing to buy unique, elegant dough figurines in some of the most special local shops.
Usually made of wheat flour or glutinous rice, Chinese dough figurines are characterized by their incredibly small sizes, lifelike features, and beautiful, vivid expressions. Because, unlike stones and metals, dough is incredibly soft and flexible, artists can effortlessly make the details on a work into different shapes. Compared to figurines made of hard materials like porcelain or metal, figurines made of dough, with their smooth, warm appearances, are especially good at bringing out the “human” aspect of art.
The origin of Chinese dough figurine is unknown. The earliest works found in archaeoligical site date back to the Tang dynasty, about 1,300 years ago. Dough figurines became popular during the Song dynasty, when people started to make works to celebrate festivals.
Cultural Note: A legend says Chinese dough figurines were invented by Zhuge Kongming, a famous military leader from the Three Kingdoms period. Zhuge’s army once tried to get across the Lu River to catch up with the enemies on the other side, but was stopped by the huge waves caused by unusually strong wind. One of Zhuge’s advisors suggested the sacrifice of 49 human heads to appease the god who controlled the river, but instead Zhuge used 49 heads made of dough. This trick succeeded, and later people began to practiced the tradition of making dough heads.
The status of dough figurines being a folk art was elevated to a formal art during the Ming and Qing dynasty, when serious artists from many places in China specialized in making and selling dough figurines. The most famous artists from this period include Wang Qingyuan and Guo Xiangyun from Shandong province, who made “Heze” style figurines, and “Dough Figurine Zhang” from Tianjin city, whose skills were lost in his late years.
Traditionally, dough figurines are used by Chinese in four different ways: as decoration, as food, as offering to gods or ancestors, and as gifts for famlily and friends on festivals.
Decoration: Dough figurines make for great decoration. A fine dough figurine, though small, has qualities other artwork don’t usually have: it can resist decay, and won’t easily change shape and fade. Fine works made by excellent artists have gorgeous, unique designs that are highly sought-after by art fans.
Food: In some regions of China, especially Shanxi province, people make auspicious dough figurines to celebrate important events and eat them as food.
Offerings: Some people believe the art of dough figurine developed from the ancient tradtion of using figurines as offerings to gods and ancestors. A number of archaeological findings from burials seem to support this belief. This traditon continues into the present.
Gifts: People in many places of China have an old tradition of giving dough figurines to family members and friends on festivals and important events. Tourists in China are often deeply captivated by the exquisite dough figurines they see in the local shops, and like to buy them to bring home.
There are three major styles of dough figurines produced in different places in China: Heze dough figurine, Xinzhou dough figurines, and Xiangzhou dough figurines.
In Beijing, there are many amazing local shops with dough figurines made by some of the best artists in China. When you go shop for these products, go on a Beijing China tour to find out!
