Clay Figurines

Uttermost - Clay Terracotta Soldiers Statues

Clay figurines and the craft of making painted clay figurines, according to archaeologists, have a recorded history of more than 3000 years
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Clay figurines’ ancient history comes from China, Japan, India, Greece and Mesopotamia. The uncovered images of flowers, birds, beasts, fish, and insects dominate old China’s cultural characteristic finds of clay figurines.

Clay figurines found around Mesopotamia, which is part of modern day Iraq and throughout the Near East have been dated from around 7,500 BC, and are mostly female. The characteristic styles of these clay figurines allow veteran archaeologist to identify diverse groups of people from various cultures in that area.

Along the southeastern coast of mainland Greece, the artifacts of Mycenaean which are terracotta clay figurines were uncovered. These were hand-made and painted with a brown glaze and are dated from around 1500 BC.

They are called “female figurines”. The three types of the female clay figurines found are called by the Greek letters “Phi”, “Tau” and “Psi” because of the way the arms are positioned. The discovery of these clay figurines are a mysterious basis of fascination for all art lovers today.

India has a number of festivals where women fashion terracotta clay figurines carrying marks of sindoor to propitiate gods and goddesses which are worshipped and become icons in many Hindu homes.

According to some experts clay is the most ancient material for making figurines or sculptures, and is one of the most satisfying and relaxing of all hobbies. Crafting clay figurines, gardenstatues and terracotta sculptures are a fun part of ceramic art that can even be learned on line.

Radiocarbon dating methods have dated some small anthropomorphic clay figurines that were found in excavations in Japan to be from the Jomon period, which dates back to the fourth millennium BC. Some of these ancient dogu clay figurines appear to be wearing space suits, much like those found in Ecuador.

China, most likely has the most abundant quantity of ancient and modern clay figurines, serving not only as toys and home décor but also as symbols of distinct religious significance. Clay figurines are a unique folk handicraft in China and have been used as a cultural envoy to foreign countries.

The best known work in Huishan folk art clay figurines of China is most likely “Da A Fu” which means great good fortune. These figurines of molded clay picturing a plump boy or girl each holding a tiny lion, are not only adorable, but also have an abundance of cultural association designed in them. Clay figurines like “Da A Fu” and “Lao Shou Xing” or the Old Man of Longevity, are cute, very colorful, short, have large heads with smiling faces, and a history that goes back over 400 years.

The Huishan clay figurines that are made by hand are more delicate, exceptionally creative, and extremely collectible with incredibly vivid colors. These magnificent clay figurines are essentially based on conventional Chinese operas with their lush culture, and have become genuine art treasures.

The art of collecting affordable clay figurines is increasing in popularity on a daily basis. Among these collectibles are Zhang clay figurines which had four generations of artists polishing, painting and firing their first grade national legacy pieces.

Experiece the thrill and exquisiteness of admiring and collecting these stunning and reasonably priced clay figurines