Archives for posts with tag: figurine
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Bamboo Carving

10/19/2011 //
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H270xW40xL100mm, China

Since the Ming dynasty bamboo carving has been seen as a specialized art; the practitioners are literati who are master of calligraphy and stone carving, this together with the nature of the material bamboo (hollow internally with knots at intervals), bamboo carving  has combined painting and sculpture in one art form.  There are broadly two type of bamboo carving, utilitarian and decorative.  The utilitarian form mostly make use of the hollow of the bamboo shaft (e.g. a pen holder, wine cup, weight etc) and relief type engraving on the surface of the bamboo.  The decorative form are sculpture of figurines, birds, etc, the design would play on the solid and void of the material.  This carving is the early work of the famous artist Zhang De He of Zhe style.

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Categories bamboo, figurine

Shi Wan Figurines

10/13/2011 //
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Man H400xW150mm, China

This is a story about Zhang Chang, a noble official in the Han Dynasty who kept the country at peace for many years.  Being faithful and out spoken, others officials were jealous and would find faults in him to report to the Emperor.  Zhang’s wife was beautiful, everyday Zhang would touch up her eyebrow before going to work.  His rivals reported this to the Emperor and when he was questioned, he answered “there are more ridiculous thing a married couple would do in the bedroom, please ask me only about my duty, what I do with my wife is only my business.”  Because of the nature of the story, it is a very popular subject for work of art.  The Shi Wan area is famous for its pottery; its beautiful colour glaze, the fine detail and the capture of the gestures.

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Categories figurine, pottery

Whistle Toy

10/11/2011 //
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Dog H20xL20mm, China

Children like creating sounds and Chinese children are no different,  in fact sound making toy is a category by itself!  What can more desirable than a portable cute looking figurine that can make beautiful sounds!  Both of these whistles have a tail at the end as a mouth piece, the second hole for generating the sound is located at the bottom.  These ceramic whistles are in the shape of a dog and a bird.

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Categories figurine, toy

Hemp Monkey

10/09/2011 //
3

 (S) H100xW50mm, China

This is not what the name suggests, it is perfectly legal… Strands of hemp fiber are tied to a metal wire like a bottle brush.  With these wire, the monkey can becomes quite animated.  The monkey comes in three different sizes with the large one going up to 300mm tall.

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Categories figurine, toy

Junk Boat God

10/07/2011 //
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H150xW50xD70mm, Macau

Along the coasts and waterway of the southern China there is a tribe called the Tanka who reside on the junk boats.  Each family would have two small boats,one anchored for living and the other for fishing.  Wooden figurines of Gods and ancestors are made for worshiping and to offer blessing when they are out at sea.  With the decreasing number of fish and the better job opportunities on land, there are now only 1/5 of the Tanka still living at sea.

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Categories figurine, tribal, wood

Clay Toy A-Fu

09/27/2011 //
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H150xW100xD80mm, China

This is a clay toy named Da A Fu; legend has it that once upon a time, the area of Hui Shan was inhabited by wild monsters.  The villagers were very afraid of them.  One day the the Sand Child god, named Da A Fu, was send from heaven to tame the  monsters. With magical powers, just a grin from Da A Fu, the monsters would become very gentle.  The villagers made clay figures of Da A Fu to commemorate him.  The figures are also used as a protector of devils.

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Categories clay, figurine, toy

Monkey Toy

09/06/2011 //
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H100x W50xD20mm, China

A clay monkey toy with the figure of mother and baby monkey painted on.  The figurine is made from 2 pieces of clay joined together by a piece of sheep skin.  When flexing it will make a sound of a monkey.  This is a traditional toy for kids.  (US$4)

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Categories clay, figurine, toy

Goddess of the Sea

09/05/2011 //
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H250xW100xD50mm, China (Hong Kong)

This wooden figure is covered in gold leave with painted features of the face (unfortunately the costume is no longer present).  This particular figure has small bounded feet in red shoes.  The Sea Goddess is believed to have the power to protect those at sea.  Traditionally, the figurine is paraded at festive activities such as the Sea Goddess birthday (3rd Moon, day 23) blessing the people in the area.

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Categories figurine, wood
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