The Feng xiang clay doll from Shanxi Province is a clay folkart and craft，and also a very popular toy loved by children，which can be dated back to the early Ming Dynasty(1368-1644) ，with a history of more than three hundred years. Their production workshops were mainly located in the area of East Liu dao ying in the Feng xiang City，where almost every household could produce the clay doll. In slack farming season， people kneaded the painted clay dolls out of mud and sold them during the festivals，which were very popular at that time.

陕西省凤翔泥偶是一种泥制的民间工艺美术品，也是极受儿童喜爱的玩具，相传始于明代初年，距今已有300多年历史。其创作基地主要集中在凤翔城东六道营一带，这里几乎家家户户都会制作泥偶。农闲时，人们用泥捏制彩偶，到年节时出售，很受欢迎。

The production workmanship of Feng xiang clay doll is very unique.First，
produce the mould made of mud and then moulded the base； apply several layers of a special paper pulp mud on the mould； through several processes like applying lacquer， bonding，trim， dyeing and painting， the final production then will be completed.Feng xiang clay dolls diversified in many kinds， which can be generally divided into pendants， ornaments， hand-playing pieces， with the sizes ranging from 30cm to 40cm， and some small ones only with a diameter of a couple of centimeters.Themes of the clay doll are extensive in its content，including the myths and legends，historical allusions，dramatic characters， as well as auspicious patterns，the rural folk lives，or birds，animals，insects and fishes.

凤翔泥偶的制作工艺很独特，先要用泥土制成模型，翻制出胎模，然后以特制的纸筋泥在模上层层加敷，经过脱胎、粘合、整形、涂染、点彩等多重工序才能制出成品。凤翔泥偶品类繁多，大致可分为挂件、摆件、手玩件等，大小尺寸不等，大的有30~40厘米的，小的只有几厘米。凤翔泥偶取材立意较广，既有神话传说、历史典故、戏剧人物，又有吉祥图案、乡俗生活、鸟兽虫鱼。

The pendant of tiger head of Feng xiang clay dollis of the most distinguishing feature，which is also known as hanging tiger，with a pair of bulging eyes and forehead， applied with strong colors and decorated with various motifs in the face which are composed by flowers in different colors，money pattern，scattered pattern and swirling patern，and adorned by butterfly，bird or kid at the tip of its ears to express a
feeling of grace out of the fierceness.

凤翔泥偶的挂件以虎头最富特色，又称“挂虎”，虎头暴额凸睛，色彩浓烈鲜艳，面部饰以各种图案，由各色花朵、金钱纹、散头纹、回旋纹构成，额边耳朵上缀以颤抖的蝴蝶、小鸟或小孩，于勇猛中又透出娇媚。

The sitting lion statue and clay ox of the Feng xiang clay dollare also very unique.The sitting lion’s decoration resemblesthe ones ofthe hanging tiger， and with the same implication of exorcism.However the clay ox has a variety of specifications and different colors.The common ones are the black ox， green ox， yellow ox and purple ox. Colored paintings are applied on the back of them， including peony， peach blossom，lotus and other auspicious patterns.The ox’s body is hollowed in which there are a few gris of gravel or beans in order to produce the sound while being shaken.

凤翔泥偶中的坐狮和泥牛也极具特色。坐狮的装饰方法与挂虎基本相同，寓意也是辟邪。泥牛有多种规格、不同颜色，以黑牛、青牛(绿色)、黄牛(黄色)，以及紫
红色的牛居多。牛背加彩绘，画有牡丹、桃花、荷花等吉祥图案。牛身是中空的，腹中往往装有几粒石子或豆子，摇动时可发出声响。

Feng xiang clay doll is very particular about the use of color. Although there are only several limited common colors like red，green，pink，yellow and green，yet after a careful deploy by the artist，works with a variety of rich and gaudy colors can be produced， which are with vigorous modeling and vivid， witty and exaggerated style of strong decorative impression.It surely possesses a unique artistic charm.

凤翔泥偶十分讲究用色，常用的颜色虽只有大红、大绿、桃红、品黄、品绿几种，但是经过艺人们的精心调配，可以制作出多种色彩浓艳鲜明的作品。凤翔泥偶造型浑厚饱满，形象生动、诙谐、夸张，装饰意味浓厚，具有独特的艺术魅力。