Mashao is the Chinese word for wooden ladle; a utensil used daily everywhere throughout China’s long history. In previous times, people would paint charms on the back of ladles to pray for blessings. The Mashao masks have long been a feature of the famous Shehuo parade in the northern parts of China. Distinctive for the […]
READ MOREXun
If music is your thing, then perhaps a xun is for you. What’s a xun, you ask? Only one of the oldest instruments in China. Can you believe the xun was used by musicians in China over 7,000 years ago? Best described as an egg-shaped vessel, the xun was originally made from clay, and while […]
READ MOREFengxiang painted clay figures
The Chinese love their figurines and it’s no wonder when you learn a little about the traditional Fengxiang painted clay figures, which have a history spanning a remarkable 3,000 years. Featuring the bright clashing colors typical of China, these figurines are also recognizable for their bold, short shapes and typically depict flowers, birds, fish, animals, […]
READ MOREPaper cutting
Between puppets and paper cutting, a visitor to Xi’an might think the art here isn’t all that sophisticated – and that’s where you’d be misled. In fact, paper cutting – much like the traditional art of shadow puppetry – requires creativity, skill-based on years of training, and most importantly, vast imagination. After all, a paper […]
READ MOREShadow puppets
An imaginative art form, shadow puppetry emerged during the Tang dynasty as performance art that kept the emperor and those around him entertained and enlightened. The appeal of shadow puppetry endures today and visitors to Xi’an can enjoy both a performance and a keepsake by purchasing a shadow puppet to take home. Made from cow’s […]
READ MOREHuxian peasant paintings
In the 1950s, local peasants in Hu County learned to paint with the help of painters and professors from the Central Academy of Fine Arts. Awakening latent creativity, within a decade these artists developed their own unique, bold and colorful style in artworks that reflected their daily existence, farming the land and traditional local customs. […]
READ MOREChinese Tiger Pillow
It may seem counterintuitive to put tiger and pillow in the same name, however, that’s exactly what the Chinese Tiger Pillow is. As with many things in China, there is a deeper symbolism, and so it is with the Chinese Tiger Pillow, which is a pillow, toy, and ‘guardian’ that protects them from evil and […]
READ MOREAncient artwork: Ink rubbings from the Xi’an Stele Forest
In ancient China, ink rubbing developed as a practical method of reproducing multiple copies of texts. Reflecting a minimalist style, ‘rubbings’ of famous calligraphy steles are always welcome additions to the collections of calligraphy lovers and of those who simply love interesting and beautiful things. An FYI for those who aren’t familiar – a stele […]
READ MORETake home a terracotta figure
If you’re into style and design, a terracotta figure could be just the thing to add to a room or outdoor garden. Produced in keeping with designs from the Terracotta Army in Xian, these figures are available in many sizes from miniature to life-size. We recommend purchasing from reputable outlets that can guarantee the quality […]
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