Huangpi Clay Sculpture

Huangpi Clay Sculpture

Huangpi clay sculpture is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Huangpi clay sculpture enjoys high renown. The Five Hundred Arhats in Guiyuan Temple in Hanyang and the deities on Mulan Mountain are traditional masterpieces of this art form. The Five Hundred Arhats in Guiyuan Temple were created over nine years by the Wang father and son from Huangpi County, Hubei. To this day, Huangpi remains the “sculpture town” of Hubei, boasting a long-standing tradition of clay sculpture with highly skilled artisans emerging in great numbers. According to the *Guiyuan Monastery Arhat Stele Inscription*, the Five Hundred Arhats in Guiyuan Temple were crafted based on rubbings of the stone carvings of the Five Hundred Arhats at Zhusheng Temple on Mount Heng in Nanyue. These were refined and reimagined through artistic processing. The technique used is known as “doffed-lacquer sculpture,” also called “golden-body sand-clay sculpture.” First, a clay model is made, then layers of raw lacquer and hemp cloth are applied to build up the sculpture — a method referred to as lacquered-cloth hollow sculpture. Finally, gold powder is applied for decoration. Its notable features include resistance to moisture, protection against insect damage, and enduring preservation without deformation. Over the span of two hundred years, the Arhat Hall has been flooded several times, with the arhats floating about, but once the waters receded, the statues remained completely intact — a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship involved.

　　　　Clay sculptures produced by the Huangpi District Clay Sculpture Factory, such as *The Honest Minor Official*, *The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea*, *The Golden Boy and Jade Girl*, and *Miss Lina*, are vivid, delightful, and highly endearing. Their products are not only popular domestically but also exported to countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Singapore. Huangpi District’s Paitongdian Town is a renowned hub for clay sculpture, where folk artisans shine brightly. Their small-scale, diverse creations carry an earthy charm, featuring both solemn and dignified figures as well as whimsical, exaggerated caricatures. From General Mulan to ladies of the Red Chamber, from the Chinese mythological figure Nezha to the famous Western artist Charlie Chaplin — all are rendered with striking lifelikeness. The veteran artisan Dai Heqing once sculpted portraits of visiting foreign guests on the spot, which became a celebrated tale abroad. Paitong clay sculptures have even been exhibited in Ohio, USA, where they were warmly received.