October 25, 2009
Spectacular Beijing Artwork: Take A Beijing Day Tour To Find Chinese Silk Figurines
With a mysterious history that goes back thousands of years, silk figurine is a popular Beijing art form that has won the hearts of art fans around the world. An art form developed from the ancient practice of making silk products, silk figurines are believed to show the essence of silk - grace, elegance, and a unique sense of high class.
Most works are designed based on characters from popular Chinese legends and famous plays, with an emphasis on bringing out their unique personalities and spiritual qualities by depicting one of their fleeting expressions and dressing them with appropriate clothing. An almost lost art 80 years ago, it quickly re-gained popularity after its revival in 1950s, and is now one of the staple products in Beijing’s gift shops. Unless you’re a Beijing tour guide, you need to go on a Beijing day tour to discover the exquisite silk figurines in the city’s spectacular local shops.
In a sense, Chinese silk figurines represent a highest form of feminine beauty highly appreciated in eastern Asian cultural sphere. Slender body, soft skin, gorgeous hair, and beautiful countenance are only physical features made possible by the delicate nature of silk itself. Elegant movements of hands and body, cute expressions that seem to have more than one meaning, and alluring eyes that are at times indifferent and distracted, and at times attractive and engaging, are a wonderful demonstration of how an ideal form of feminine beauty is perceived by eastern Asian people, a form of beauty that has been personified by a large number of famous female characters from ancient Chinese plays and novels.
Not surprisingly, silk figurine, though not as famous as other major Chinese art forms like painting or porcelain, nonetheless became one of collectors’ favorite items, who considered it as an excellent presentation of ancient Chinese culture, art, and aesthetic ideas.
Though the evidence of silk figurines existing before the Tang dynasty is sparse, it is generally believed this art form has a history almost as long as the production of silk. According to some historians, some of the earliest embroidered works must have been silk figurines used as a type of home decoration. The earliest works discovered are from a Tang dynasty tomb found in Xinjiang province, which include figurines of imperial court dancers and eunuchs. The dancers are known for their exquisite clothes and hair ornaments, and the eunuchs for their incredibly vivid expressions.
During the Song dynasty, Chinese people began to widely use multi-color, elaborately-made silk figurines in important ceremonies, a tradition that would continue into the late Qing dynasty. In the early 20th century, this art was completely lost in the Sino-Japanese war. Fortunately, it was re-invented by some great Beijing artists in the 1950s.
Beautiful silk figurines are offered in many amazing local shops in Beijing. When you are in the city, remember to find a Personal Shopper in Beijing to take you to the best shops with the best products.
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Filed under Classical and Instrumental by musicnews