By Yin Yin (
China Daily)
14:33, January 29, 2013
Traditional silk dolls have been undergoing a resurgence in popularity among the country's youngsters. (Zhao Bing / For China Daily)
Long-legged, fair-haired and dressed in the most fashionable clothes, the Barbie doll has become an icon among children's toys in the West. But for more than 1,000 years, a doll that swept China has sustained just as much allure for youngsters.
Juanren, or silk dolls, first appeared in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), and remained popular for centuries.
They were designed with detailed facial expressions and could be found inside their own special cabinets in most Chinese homes.
They were made of thin silk, gauze and damask silk, and depicted both men and women from folktales, operas and traditional dramas. In many cases, designers dressed them in the style of a particular ethnic group.
"Ancient Chinese fabric toys are very closely connected to silk figurines," China Folklore Society researcher Zhong Bingtian says. "The evolution and development of silk and knitted goods has gone hand-in-hand."
Juanren have undergone many phases of development. In the early Song Dynasty (960-1279), designers began to create clothes for the dolls, made from fine brocade.
In the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), they became an increasingly popular toy. And in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the figurines started taking the forms of gods and goddesses.
"It was a folk tradition to make silk dolls to give to younger generations as a gift during the Dragon Boat Festival in many areas of southern China," Zhong says.
"And in the north, colorful silk and elegant satin were used to make the God of Felicity as a typical birthday present."
After the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), juanren fell from popularity as China was consumed by wars and social unrest.
【1】 【2】 We recommend:
Beijing is in silver and whiteGirlhood photos of Chinese stars revealedA trip to sunshine sanctuary in BeihaiHow sweet! Stunning pure ad girlsChina's largest 'capsule hotel' opens in QingdaoLa Perla Spring Summer 2013 LingerisesA young artist's life with wolf cubBanquets at Diaoyutai State GuesthouseOlympic medalist Michelle Kwan marriesEmail|
Print|
Comments（Editor：高奕楠、葉欣）
Increases the bookmark
twitterfacebookSina MicroblogdiggGoogleDeliciousbuzzfriendfeedLinkedindiigoredditstumbleuponQzoneQQ MicroblogRelated Reading
Woodblock paintings created by Chinese painter Lu Fang Guizhou National Folk Handicrafts show held in Beijing Embroider best wishes on insoles in N China's Shanxi Characters in 'A Dream of the Red Chamber' come alive in claySu embroidery: stunning Chinese folk arts Balloon Doll Exhibition held in SE ChinaTujia women weave traditional tapestry in China's Hubei China Quyi Peony Awards honor best folk artsHot NewsYemeni president meets Chinese vice FM on developing tiesTibet highway increased by 2,069 km in 2012A different 'China Dream' for post-1980s generationHot debate on how to keep South China warmS&P retreats, but Nasdaq gains as Apple reboundsStatistical discrepancy declines in Sino-US tradeIce sculptures dazzle LiaochengDesperate concubines
