Dongchang clay sculpture [Shandong Liaocheng specialty]

What is Dongchang clay sculpture? Authentic Shandong Liaocheng specialty: Dongchang clay sculpture

Content summary:Do you want to know what Dongchang clay sculpture is? This article is a detailed introduction to Dongchang clay sculpture, a specialty of Liaocheng, Shandong Province. It was compiled by the editorial team of China Specialty Network, who reviewed and collected relevant information on Dongchang clay sculpture. The entire article takes about 10 minutes to read, mainly including the basic introduction of Dongchang clay sculpture

Basic Introduction to Dongchang Clay Sculpture

Most of the "gods" worshipped in Dongchang Prefecture are made of clay, which has led to the emergence of many highly skilled clay sculpture artists in the area. From various characters to birds and animals, they can be vividly portrayed in the hands of clay sculpture artists. Dongchang clay sculptures are also loved by the masses for their beautiful shapes, rustic elegance, and lifelike features

Exquisite craftsmanship and precise production

People in Liaocheng often say to the outside world: Liaocheng has three treasures: iron towers, ancient buildings, and Yuhuanggao. This Yuhuanggao was a Taoist temple that no longer exists, but the hundred statues enshrined in the temple have always been a source of joy for people. These statues are all created by folk artists in Dongchangfu District, and most of them are "mud bodhisattvas" that perfectly embody the exquisite clay sculpture skills of Dongchangfu District at that time

In history, Dongchangfu served as an ancient political, economic, and cultural center, with many Taoist temples, monasteries, and various other temples. However, Dongchangfu District is located in a plain area and lacks stone materials. In addition, transportation is difficult and the cost is high. Therefore, most of the "gods" worshipped in Dongchangfu District are made of clay, which has led to the emergence of many highly skilled clay sculpture artists in Dongchangfu District. A lifelike clay figurine, dressed in red or green clothing, with exaggerated expressions and cute movements, making people laugh uncontrollably; Exquisite and delicate birds, with wings spread and small mouths raised high, as if making a chirping sound... From various characters to birds and animals, they can be vividly portrayed in the hands of clay sculptors

Dongchang clay sculpture has exquisite materials and craftsmanship, requiring multiple processes to complete. Firstly, tie the skeleton with straw or millet stalks, and then synthesize coarse materials with wheat bran and yellow clay, with a basic material ratio of six parts bran and four parts mud. Use good coarse materials to shape according to needs, and the process of using coarse materials for shaping this time is called "grabbing coarse". After the shape is completely dry, apply another layer of fine mud, using yellow clay as the material. Next is coloring, first brush the base color, which is composed of water, white powder, and water-based glue. The proportion of materials used should vary according to the season of the statue's production. If one pound of white powder needs two liang of glue in winter, one and a half pounds of white powder need two liang of glue in summer, and one and a half pounds of white powder need a few taels of glue in autumn. After the base color dries, apply various colors according to the appearance, body shape, and clothing of the statue. After this process, a statue is completed. This final process is called 'finalization'

Maguantun clay figurines can be regarded as a masterpiece of clay sculpture.

Dongchang clay sculptures are mainly divided into two types: large statues and small clay figurines. Maguantun clay figurines are among the best in Dongchang clay sculpture. They are small and exquisite, with a wide variety of styles, mainly featuring opera characters and birds and animals. The kneading process requires multiple steps. Firstly, the silt from the Yellow River is taken and dried, then soaked thoroughly with water. Afterwards, old cotton wool is mixed in and shaken evenly with a wooden hammer before use. If squeezing small animals or mud whistles, they can be made directly. If making larger clay figurines or animals, it is necessary to first make clay molds, and each clay figurine shape requires a pair of molds to be fastened. After the billet is dried, it is brushed with a base color composed of white powder and water-based glue. After the base color dries completely, various colors are brushed according to the shape needs. The exterior color of Maguantun clay figurines is hot and bright, with red, green, yellow, and black as the main colors, strong clumpiness, and beautiful shape

Maguantun clay figurines have a long history, but there is no way to verify when they started. The late artist Zheng Keqin from Maguantun Village once described that the Zheng family's ancestral home was in one county, and it is unknown when their ancestors moved to Maguantun. The craft of making clay figurines was learned when they migrated from Shanxi and has been passed down from generation to generation to this day. There is still an ancient legend circulating in Maguantun Village about Maguantun clay figurines. According to legend, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, a group of bandits wanted to attack Maguantun. When they reached a small temple at the end of the village, their horses suddenly stopped and neighed, no matter how the bandits beat them, it was useless. Helplessly, the bandits had no choice but to leave in frustration, and Ma Guantun escaped unscathed. The old people said that when Ma Guantun clay figurines appeared, they transformed into a row of people wearing official clothes and stood on the big wall of the village, which scared away the bandits. We have no way of investigating the origin of the legend, but the people of Maguantun's love and worship of clay sculptures are enough to demonstrate it

The clay sculpture business was once extremely popular.

In the last century, clay sculpture artists loaded molded clay figurines onto carriers and shuttled through the streets and alleys of urban and rural areas, with long and melodious cries. Many ordinary people relied on molding and selling clay figurines to make a living and supplement their families.