With only a history spanning almost three hundred years, Fengxiang sculptures from the Shaanxi Province have quickly developed into an admired peasant folk art.

The sculptures are made from unique local clay called “ban ban tu” which is mainly found in the small town of Luiying in Fengxiang County. It is mixed with pulp to create a sticky texture which does not need to be fired in a kiln. It is simply left to dry in the shade. They clay is not suitable for pottery due to its sticky texture; however, this makes it perfect for sculptures. The clay does not crack easily when dry and has a rough surface.

There are approximately thirteen main procedures involved in creating Fengxiang sculptures and thirty-six detailed processing techniques including clay selecting, mud making, mould making and polishing. Approximately one week is needed to complete a finely detailed sculpture. There are over 170 traditional varieties of figurines

The colours used to create the simplistic designs and patterns are bright and bold. Commonly used colours are scarlet, green, yellow, red and white. A black outline around each short shape emphasizes the colour contrasts and exaggerates the small details.

Colours and patterns painted on Fengxiang sculptures are used to bring good luck and specific blessing. Green is the symbol for longevity while red is used to symbolize happiness. Pomegranate fruits are painted on the sculpture for a woman who is looking to become pregnant. Coins represent wealth and prosperity. 

The subjects, motifs and designs of Fengxiang sculptures are influenced by other folk arts and crafts such as ancient stone carvings, paintings, paper cuttings and embroidery. Flowers, birds, fish, insects and auspicious beasts and animals are predominantly used as designs for the sculptures.

There are three forms of Fengxiang sculptures popular within in China. Clay toys in the shape of animals are loved by children throughout the world and feature exaggerated forms with bright designs and colours appealing to the younger generation. The twelve Chinese zodiac symbols are an especially popular motif for clay toys. Hanging ornaments usually come in the form of animal heads and opera masks. Standing figures of historical and folklore characters are collected by many people as decorative ornaments for the home. 

It is a local tradition for villages in the Fengxiang County to send sculptures to each other for celebrations. These sculptures are placed in the home to ward off evil spirits and bring peace and bestow blessings on the household. 

Clay sculpting was first introduced to Fengxiang at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It was introduced to the area by a battalion of soldiers from the Jiangxi province that was stationed in Fengxiang. As skilled craftsmen, the soldiers started to produce sculptures from the local clay and found they could create amazingly shaped figures without the use of fire. The town was named Luiying after the battalion and the craft was carried down from generation to generation.

Fengxiang sculptures have quickly become a recognized national folk art of China and have found great success at home and abroad. They were listed as one of the Chinese intangible cultural heritage items during 2006. In 2002, a Fengxiang clay horse was selected as the official image for the Chinese zodiac stamp of the year.

With help from the government, craftsmen from Fengxiang County make close to 250 000 sculptures annually with many towns reliant on the clay making industry. The international world is showing a great interest in the peasant folk art and the market continues to grow.