As to me,a girl who like interesting little things very much.I have watched a TV play about clay figurine.It is about a man in Guangzhou who are good at making clay figurines with colourful clay.He has lots of works,which include cute animals,beautiful flowers and scenerys.But my subject today is not clay figurines in Guangzhou,but old Beijing clay figurines.

Some old people said that early in Guangxu Years,Qing Dynasty,some facial makeups were sold in different temple fairs in Beijing.At that time,a man whose surname was Gui from Man nationality,he did well in poetry and paintings,and he liked Peking Operas very much,especially the facial makeup among them.Each month he got sallery and had nothing to do,he would make some facial masks with clay.When the masks became dry,he painted colors on them.After continuous improvement,he gave his works to relatives.Those handicrafts were welcomed by many people.

The Revolution of 1911 overthrew Qing Government,that Man nationality had no job.Therefore,he began to do business with facial masks.Everyone was interested in his articles,the masks were sold out soon.From then on,more and more clay figurine artists appeared.They had their different and special styles and features.

From the late of 1920s,the market of facial makeup developped to Dong’an market,it still got much attention.In addtion,lots of foreigners who visited Beijing like to take those works which were full of Beijing features to their friends.

Tu’er’ye is a symbol in Beijing Mid-autumn Day.It is a kind of clay toy which has human body and rabbit face.In fact,it just has rabbit’s lips,its other parts look more like human face.Its origin is hard to find.But it became a fashion at least in Ming Dynasty.In Qing Dynasty,it was more prosperous,and it had more types.Once you observe those clay figurines,maybe they look powerful,but really they are so gentle.It is an interesting thing.The folk artists’ special creations show Beijing people’s romantic hearts,optimistic and humorous dispositions.


In old Beijing,many places had shops businessing in Tu’er’ye during Mid-autumn Day.It enhance much happy atmosphere for festivals.