Story of Chongqing Speciality | Chongqing Dough Sculpture, Artwork on Fingertips

In Chongqing, when it comes to flour, the first thing that comes to people's minds is hot and spicy Chongqing Noodles or various delicacies, such as steamed stuffed buns, dumplings, wontons, meat pies, etc. In addition to satisfying the appetite of people, flour can also be used in dough sculpture.

Dough sculpture, also known as dough figurine, originated in the north and is a part of China's traditional culture and folk art. The traditional way is to use wheat flour as the main raw material, add appropriate pigments, make doughs of different colors, and then make a variety of statues through kneading, pinching, trimming, and other techniques with the help of of of dough modeling tools.

They are usually exaggerated and vivid in shape, bright and generous in color, rough, simple and concise in style, and full of elegant beauty with distinct folk and local characteristics.

The art of dough sculpture was recorded in writing as early as the Han Dynasty. The Eastern Capital: A Dream of Splendor written in the Southern Song Dynasty says, "A smiling figurine is made of flour and sugar." At that time, the figurines were edible. Legend has it that during the period of the Three Kingdoms, Zhuge Liang wanted to conquer the southern barbarians. When crossing the Lujiang River, the troops encountered a heavy gale. Zhuge Liang then made a “human head” and sacrificial offerings with flour to worship the river god. Surprisingly, the troops safely crossed the river and accomplished the mission. From then on, the dough sculpture practitioners worship Zhuge Liang as the ancestor.

In the old society, dough sculpture practitioners walked around carrying boxes just to make a living. Their works were made instantly on the streets and popular among ordinary people. However, they were not regarded as real artworks. Nowadays, as dough sculpture is valued as a precious intangible cultural heritage, the trinkets have found their way into art. In 2014, Chongqing Dough Sculpture was included in the list of Chongqing's municipal intangible cultural heritages. This helps people understand that dough sculpture is a trade to make a living and a traditional handicraft and a product of Han culture with local characteristics.