Gaomi Clay Sculptures

Last updated 2026-11-11 — Gaomi clay sculptures have a history of over 400 years. During the Longqing and Wanli eras of the Ming Dynasty, farmers in the area designed and made a type of firework called “guozi hua” (also known as mud mound) from clay for sale. Later, they molded the clay shells that held gunpowder into doll-like shapes. After the fireworks were set off, these figures were used as toys or decorative ornaments. Over time, the variety of these clay sculptures gradually increased to include animals such as “tigers,” “lions,” “monkeys,” “puppies,” “kittens,” “chickens,” and “ducks,” as well as legendary tales like “Madame White Snake,” “Sun Wukong,” and “The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.” These figures were also painted in various colors to make them lively and vivid. From then on, clay sculptures were no longer just accessories to fireworks but developed into an independent form of handicraft art. By the Qing Dynasty during the Qianlong era, the Ni Jiazhuang clay sculptures further drew inspiration from the artistic features of Yangjiabu New Year paintings, innovating in both expression techniques and coloring. They also gradually added sound effects and localized motion sounds, blending color and movement seamlessly. Clay toys were sold at every mountain fair and temple gathering. A folk rhyme goes, “When a child cries, find [omitted], buy a clay doll to make the child laugh happily.” This shows how popular clay toys were among children at the time. Today, they have been preserved as a form of folk art and have been exhibited multiple times both domestically and internationally.