North China's Quyang county boasts a rich tradition in crafts

2018-04-18  Source：China Daily

Clay figures by Ma Ruote [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

The historical county of Quyang, in North China's Hebei province that encircles Beijing, boasts a rich handicraft tradition, including stone carving and porcelain making.

Since the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Quyang has been a northern production center of marble sculptures, especially famous for creating delicate Buddhist and lion statues. Local stone artisans participated in the construction and decoration of Beijing's landmark buildings, such as the Monument to the People's Heroes and Great Hall of the People, both standing in Tian'anmen Square.

Marble statue of Guanyin bodhisattva by An Xiuying [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

Quyang also was the birthplace of Ding ware, one of the top five porcelains of the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Ding ceramics have a thin, grayish body with a transparent, white tinted glaze.

Dozens of such refined works of craftsmanship by modern-day Quyang artists are now on show at the gallery of the Beijing Arts and Crafts Group. The display through April 20 also includes reproductions of ancient Ding porcelains and figures, and carvings in ancient temples and buildings sculpted by Quyang artisans of the time.

The exhibition marks the beginning of the cooperation between Beijing Arts and Crafts Group and Quyang county government, which includes merchandise development.

A limestone reproduction by Liu Jianwei of a 6th-century Buddhist sculpture. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

A limestone reproduction by Liu Jinhu of a 6th-century Buddhist sculpture. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

A marble Guanyin statue by Ma Tengyuan. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

A porcelain vase by Liu Nalei. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

Beijing Arts and Crafts Group and Quyang county government sign a strategic cooperation agreement. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

Beijing Arts and Crafts Group and Quyang county government sign a strategic cooperation agreement. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]