In the mid 1950s, after new China was founded, the country was invited to participate in an international toy fair held in India. Via the All-China Women’s Federation, the Ministry of Culture assigned the task of designing exhibits for the fair to artists Ge Jing’an, Li Peifen, Du Chongpu, etc. They paid great efforts in collecting documentary materials from different sources and conducting much research to finally produce five works depicting women from ethnic minorities. The works received a warm welcome at the fair. Later, the group set up a research team on artistic figurines in Beijing, and successively produced many new works. The silk figurines designed took on the new China climate and the characteristics of ethnic groups.
In terms of materials, the heads of foreign figurines are made of gesso, clay and wood, while Beijing silk figurines are all made of Chinese silk from head to toe — their facial expressions, clothing and postures all tinged with the Chinese flavor.
Beijing silk figurines usually represent young men and women in Chinese folktales, traditional dramas and ethnic dancers. The subjects are mainly characters from folk stories loved by China’s common people, including ancient beauties, dramatic figurines and modern dancers.
The making of the figurines involves a dozen steps, including sculpting, painting, designing clothing and props, and arranging the hair and headgears. Each step requires sophisticated techniques and ingenious craftsmanship. Usually, the face and hands of a silk figurine are made of natural silk, while the other parts are made from fine silk cloth.
From head to toe, inside and out, only top quality Chinese silk and spun gauzes are used to make these craftworks.
（Source: chinaculture.org）
