Tianjin Clay Figure Zhang Museum

Tianjin Clay Figure Zhang Museum is on Tianjin's Ancient Cultural Street, an area long famous for selling cheap souvenir replicas of Chinese prints and relics. It was opened to public during the Spring Festival Holiday of 2009. It displays the magnificent clay figure works by the six generations of artists surnamed Zhang in the past 200 years, and its most renowned figurine sculptor appeared in the 19th century. This museum easily distinguishes itself by emphasizing complete authenticity. Rated as the best museum in the city for selling Tianjin figurines, its artists pattern their techniques after those used by Master Zang. Famous people, laughing Buddha's, warriors and craggy old men are the main figurine themes.

History of Clay Figure Zhang

The earliest artist of Zhang's family, Zhang Mingshan, made a clay figure called "The Door God of Jiang" and "Goddess Matzu" in 1838 and 1896 respectively. Zhang Naiying, from the second-generation artists, produced the famous "Selling Rock Sugar Gourd" and "Tieguai Li" in 1899. Later the Zhang's family made some notable clay works about the life of Tianjin people in late nineteenth century and the political situation of the Nationalist period, such as "The Five Presidents", "The Fleet of the Northern Sea" and "Chinese Army Resists Against Japanese Invaders at Dagu Emplacement". In recent decades, Clay Figure Zhang (Nirenzhang) completed "Bring the Water of Luan River to Tianjin", "Deng Xiaoping's Thoughts on Economic Developing Zones' Further Growth" and "Building a Water Drop by Construction Workers", which are all reflected the changing face of this city of northern China. 

About Tianjin Clay Figure Zhang Museum

Tianjin Clay Figure Zhang Museum has a total exhibition area of 200 square meters. Its architectural style belongs to the Qing Dynasty era. In addition to the 200-odd clay works displayed on the first floor, it also shows the tools of making the figures that used by the first and second generations of Zhang, as well as the photographs, introductions and awards they attained in history. While in the upstairs, apprentices of Clay Figure Zhang or called Nirenzhang will demonstrate how to make clay figures, which can clearly portray the characters, postures and gestures of well-known celebrities.