Clay Figure Zhang stands as a prominent example of clay sculpture (泥塑 nísù) in China. Artisans begin with carefully selecting pliable clay from riverbanks and processing it through twelve meticulous steps (步骤 bùzhòu), including sun-drying, sieving and pounding. Using hand-molding techniques alongside specialized tools like pressing blades, they capture lifelike expressions with precision. After natural drying, the figures are painted with mineral pigments, ensuring the colors remain vibrant for

Colossal sculpture of Fuxi, a culture hero in Chinese legend and mythology, is carved into the granite face of a mountain in Xiangyang, C China's Hubei. | People's Daily, China