Clay sculpture (clay sculpture of niejiazhuang)

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: clay sculpture

Applicant: Gaomi City, Shandong Province

Item No.: 346

Project No.: Ⅶ - 47

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Shandong Province

Type: Extension Project

Applicant: Gaomi City, Shandong Province

Protection unit: Gaomi Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Office

Clay sculpture (clay sculpture of niejiazhuang)

Applicant: Gaomi City, Shandong Province

Niejiazhuang clay sculpture in Jiangzhuang Town, Gaomi City, Shandong Province, is a medium-sized clay sculpture with complete colors, sounds and movements. It is said that it originated in the Wanli period of Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than 400 years. During the reign of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, the artists of niejiazhuang created clay dolls, birds, animals, fish and other clay sculpture varieties on the basis of "guozihua" for folk activities, family viewing and children playing. During the reign of Jiaqing, the clay sculptures of niejiazhuang entered a mature period, and the works created are perfect in image, sound and color.

The production process of niejiazhuang clay sculpture consists of more than ten processes. The finished clay sculpture is bold and exaggerated, naive and simple, bright and eye-catching in color, vivid and freehand in expression. The whole clay sculpture can be called and has strong artistic appeal and vitality. As an ancient folk craft, niejiazhuang clay sculpture reflects the local social conditions and customs in an artistic way, and has become a precious historical and cultural heritage, which has important reference value in the study of Shandong regional culture and folk customs.

At present, social life is undergoing unprecedented changes. Whether in cities or towns, the toy market has been rapidly occupied by electric, plastic, plush and remote control products, which has a great impact on the sales of niejiazhuang clay sculpture. In this situation, the clay sculpture of niejiazhuang is lack of successors, difficult to develop, and in need of protection and support.