Clay figurines represent another type of folk art in China. they are much liked for their vivid and amusing expressions and, for this reason, make good indoor decorations and welcome presents between friends.

The principle material for making these figurines is porcelain clay. Though this is found in most localities of china, the best is supposed to be that at Huishan Mounation, Wuxi. Normally, when people talk about clay figurines in China, they tend to think of those made at Huishan. Indeed, the earth from the paddy fields of the surrounding area is very fine and sticky, containing little sand. Molded into figurines, it needs no firing but, after being dried in the shade for 3 or 4 days, is ready to be painted on. The finished products are very durable and will not crack in many years to come. A piece of work takes about half day to complete, depending on the size and complexity.

The molding of clay figures in China seems to have come from a long tradition. It is said that Sun Bin, famed strategist of the state of Qi who lived in the 4th to 3rd century B.C. during the Warring States period, in order to break an enemy formation, used clay figures for mock exercises. Because of this legend, Sun Bin has been regarded as the founder of the craft. Legend aside, the art can be traced in written history at least 400 years back to the Ming Dynasty. It was an age when Buddhism flourished in China, and an increasing number of pilgrims came to visit the temples on Huishan Mountain. In the vicinities of the hill began to appear handicraftsmen who hand molded clay into images of the Goddess of Mercy, the God of Longevity and other deities to be sold to the visitors. Later on, the subjects became expanded into include toys, dramatic and everyday characters, plump babies and clownish figures. The clay figurines were sold as they were molded, and many shops thrived on them.

Today there is a clay figurine factory and a research institute of the art in Wuxi. The factory not only produces traditional figurines but has made new creations of smooth lines and bright colors. Many foreign tourists visit the factory, showing special interest in their dramatic characters and operatic facial makeups, cats, figured pencil sharpeners and children’s toys, all made of clay.