Beijing Dough Figurines

央視國際 2003年06月23日 16:07

　　In the old days, many pedlars beat gongs at street fairs in Beijing. Some handicraftsmen moulded figurines and flowers with coloured dough. This folk handicraft has been handed down to this very day. It is a unique art of dough modeling in Beijing.

　　The dough modeling originated from the old custom of moulding and steaming dough food as sacrificial offerings or birthday presents. Around the Spring Festival, almost every family in Beijing moulded dough pieces. They looked nice and tasted good, representing a splendid harvest and wishes for good luck. They were also toys loved by kids. Today dough modeling handicraftsmen have improved their techniques and turned their products into works of visual arts.

　　“Food was well shaped during the Tang Dynasty. Pastry with decorative patterns was available in those days. “Fruit Generals” were figurative food during the Song Dynasty. There were also pagodas and other shapes made of sugar. I think dough modeling originated from the processing of food,” said Wang Lianhai from School of Fine Arts of Qinghua University.

　　China is a large agricultural country. It is quite logical to depict her brilliant history and culture by means of dough, a special material of plastic arts. Most motifs of dough modeling are figures from Chinese novels, traditional operas and folk legends. The skillful handicraftsmen make lifelike figurines. These figurines are very short, but their individual characters and looks are vividly portrayed.

　　“Dough modeling is done from the inside to the outside and from top to bottom. For example, when I make the dough model of a beautiful woman, like Chang’e flying to the moon, I mould the face and headdress. Then I mould the nude body. I put on her underskirt and outer skirt. Then I put on her underwear and outer garment. Finally I put on all the ornaments, flowers and colourful ribbons. Now the work is finished,” said Zhang Baolin, dough modeling artist.

　　Because the dough figurines are made of flour, it was a hard nut for the handicraftsmen to keep their products for a long time. Today they have found a kind of dough that will not dry up, become mildewed, deform or be worm－eaten. Dough figurines can be seen not only in streets and lanes, but also on the desks of famous persons and refined scholars, displaying the boundless vitality of folk arts.

　　Some dough modeling artists have displayed distinctive ingenuity, creating superb works to suit both refined and popular tastes. For example, the dough modeling of the Eight Immortals is an imitation of ivory, but it has the artistic lustre of ivory. The mini－dough modeling of “Chang’e Flying to the Moon” and “The Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers” made in walnut shells was a proof of unique craftsmanship. Today the folk arts have attracted more and more attention. The traditional handicraft of Beijing dough figurines will have even greater vitality in the days to come.