The central China's Henan province produce clay statuette which can be blown as whistle. There are various kinds of clay statuettes with monkey being frequently seen. There are human face monkeys, monkeys with peach, monkeys with hoe, etc.
Under the local culture, this clay statuette is not only toying but also has cultural background.
In the picture, the face of the monkey is made with mold and the back and tail is made by hand. There are holes on the face and tail so that it can be blown as whistle. People draw facial features. The clay statuette has a pointed mouth, round eyes and red face with the upper part being exaggerated. It looks mysterious.
In Huaiyang of Central China's Henan province, clay statuettes are usually produced with two heads. People use hands to shape them and there are five steps in making a clay statuette, clay making, molding, shaping, coloring and decoration. The clay statuettes are colored in batch instead of one by one. For decoration, people use sorghum straw instead of brush to add colors, which usually include red, GREen, white, yellow, etc.
The picture shows the figures of two pigs placing above one another. People use white color to draw short lines and dots. The lengths of the pig noses are different. So are their ears. They look interesting and humorous. The portrayal is vivid and detailed.
In another county of Central China's Henan province, clay statuette is linked with local customs. Many clay statuettes are on sale on the lantern festival, the local ghost festival, etc. Local women tend to buy them.
The clay statuette there is mostly made by hand. People use chopsticks to designate the boundary line, dry it and then add color. Different colors are used for background and decoration. The picture shows some of the eight fairies, one of whom riding backward. People make eight fairies according to their own imaginations and background. The eight fairies shown in the picture look more like human farmers instead of fairies.
