Dough figurines exemplify great traditional Chinese culture

The common name for dough figurines – a Chinese traditional art form, also known as sticky rice flour toys – simply doesn't do justice to their extraordinary creativity.

In particular, the dough figurines from the Jiangyan district of Taizhou city – in East China's Jiangsu province – focus on exquisite, meticulous, vivid and spiritual works. Through a cornucopia of different expressions and postures, people can ponder at length the psychology of the miniature characters.

Craftsmen often create the characters of The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, a Chinese traditional fairytale. [Photo/WeChat ID: tztour]

The Wang clan from Mazhuang village – in Yuxi town, Jiangyan district – are representative of master makers. Through four generations of effort, Jiangyan dough figurines have evolved to use vibrant colors, exquisite and vivid styles.

Wang Hongxiang, a folk artist in Jiangyan district, is a master of the craft. The subjects of his works are mainly from four classic novels of Chinese literature, Chinese operas, folk tales and fairy tales. With flour, simple tools and his hands, Wang create vivid artistic images.

Jiangyan dough figurines have rich expressions and poses. [Photo/WeChat ID: tztour]

Jiangyan dough figurines have wide themes and subjects to draw on, including characters, birds and animals. What is more important is to place the portrayed images into historical events, reflecting people's joys and sorrows amidst familiar historical stories, folk legends and values.

A dough figurines creation of Gui Fei Zui Jiu – the drunken imperial concubine – a classic Peking Opera piece. [Photo/WeChat ID: tztour]