The Huishan clay figurines from the town of Wuxi are classed as one of the most renowned folk clay arts in China. Wuxi is located north of the Taihu Lake in the Jiangsu Province. It has an abundance of craftsmen who specialize in making vibrant Huishan clay figures.

Most families within the Wuxi region are skilled at creating these joyous figurines. They are commonly sold in Wuxi within temple and market fairs during festivals.

The figurines are made from local black and sticky soil and can be either made from moulds or shaped by hand. The moulded clay figurines are ideal for children as they are coarse and feature exaggerated forms and bright colours. Most moluded clay figurines are sculpted as children with large heads and smiling faces. Hand crafted figurines are delicate and come mainly in the form of Chinese historical legends or traditional Chinese opera characters. In general, Huishan clay sculptures are short in stature, feature exaggerated heads and consist of vivid facial expressions. Bright colours such as red, yellow, green and blue are creatively used to enhance the joyous and childish nature of the figures.

The Huishan clay figurines were first created over one thousand years ago during the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589). The production of Huishan clay figures flourished during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) with many clay figurines sold in other provinces. Many specialized workshops emerged during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) to meet the high demand placed on Wuxi craftsmen. They were officially recognized as tributes to the imperial court after a set of Huishan clay figurines was given to the Empress Dowager, Cixi, for her sixtieth birthday.

New techniques and skills such as gesso engraving were combined with the traditional techniques and designs in creating Huishan clay sculptures. Since the formation of the People’s Republic of China (1949), the folk art has developed into a popular industry with support from the government. Specialized factories and institutions were established during the 1950’s to meet the rising demands for Huishan clay figurines.

Regarded as a national folk art, Huishan clay figures are exquisite ornaments admired by both the younger and elder generation. Its bright features and cultural significance have transformed the production of Huishan clay sculptures into a thriving industry which attracts customers from both near and far. Hopefully this art form will be passed to the younger generation of the town and more exquisite designs will continue to entertain the world.