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Clay Figurin Zhang (泥人张), the folk culture of Tianjin, is one of the well-known traditional handcrafts in China. It has been regarded as the treasure of Chinese culture. As a school of widespread folk painted sculpture in Northern China, clay figurin Zhang created by artist Zhang Mingshan in Tianjin is the first group of nation-class Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Clay Figurine Zhang collects a wide range of subjects, or reflecting folk custom, or absorbing folk stories and play, or directly drawing materials from classical literatures. All these figurines are similar in both externality and internality. Clay figurine Zhang pays more attention to the use of materials, so the pinched figurine can still be lifelike after a long time without any arid and cracked. Clay figurine Zhang, about 40 centimeters high, is usually used as interior decorate.

Clay figurine Zhang was originally founded in the end of Qing Dynasty by Zhang Mingshan, who was born in a poor family in Tianjin. He lived on pinched figurine when he was a child following his father. Zhang Mingshan was smart, deft and imaginative and always observed people in all walks and pinched in wristband secretly. Zhang Mingshan absorb nourish from painting, opera and other arts and finally formed a style of his own.

As early as 1826, clay figurine Zhang won recognization from palace of Qing Dynasty, summoned to knead a variety of figurines of imperial style. In Panam World’s Fair, 16 pieces of Clay figurine Zhang took part in the collection and won the honorary award. Some nations collected or displayed Clay figurine Zhang as Chinese specificity. Clay figurine Zhang sell well around the world and highly praised by foreign friends. Many countries in Asia and Europe specially invited Clay figurine Zhang to demonstrate their skill and make exchange between the east and west. There is a Clay figurine Zhang thematic showroom in a China’s modern art museum in Ashiya. Clay figurine Zhang specialty shop in ancient culture street in Tianjin is deeply liked by people.