Huishan Clay Figurines

Huishan Clay figurines are Wuxi's most famous folk craft. The techniques for making and decorating the figurines developed among the ordinary people of the area of many centuries, and these traditional styles and techniques are still used today.

The themes and decoration of the small statues make them a charming example of traditional Chinese folk culture. Connoisseurs classify the figurines into two main types - simple and fine. The two styles differ in their shape, decoration, production, and also history.

Perhaps most interesting to foreign tourists are the "simple" figurines, which are the most traditional and have a distinctive folk style and are steeped in many local customs and traditions.

In keeping with their folk style, they are decorated in bright, lively colors like green, blue, and yellow, and their shape and expressions are very stylized. Fine figurines are more realistic and finely worked and rely less on folk traditions and styles.

Some of the most popular motifs for fine figurines drawn from Chinese myths and legends, characters in classical operas, beautiful women, and playing children. While these subjects have remained popular over the centuries, other themes have fallen in and out of fashion with the times, like the heroic workers and peasants which were popular in the 1960's. They pay great attention to creating realistic looking clothing, especially on the lavish and elaborate outfits of Chinese opera characters.

The most common figurines are of chubby babies, with outsized heads and wide smiles, sitting crossed legged. Having children has traditionally been one of the most prized things in Chinese life, due both to Confucian traditions that stress carrying on the family line and the more practical desire of peasants to have extra hands around the farm.