Dunhuang clay sculpture used fine clay has _______ two kinds of

Dunhuang clay used in Weixian, Shandong Province, fine white clay and Gansu Linze Huangtu two kinds of clay.

Dunhuang clay sculpture is an important school of traditional Chinese sculpture, which inherited the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties to the Yuan period of the art style, but also absorbed the essence of the Western culture, Indian culture, Central Asian culture, and many other national cultures, with a strong historical, ethnic and regional characteristics. Among them, the choice of materials is a fundamental factor in the art of shaping.

1. Fine white clay from Weixian County, Shandong

Weixian County is located in the middle of Shandong Peninsula, with a flat terrain, fertile land, and a mild and humid climate, which is suitable for planting and kneading a high-quality ecological environment for clay sculpture. Because the place is located in Zibo, Taierzhuang, Weifang three big clay production area center position, so the local clay production history is long, refined fine white clay technology is more mature.

Weixian fine white clay is delicate, viscous, after pinching, cutting, polishing and other processes made of clay sculpture beautiful shape, smooth lines, rich in detail, vivid expression. Shandong Weixian fine white clay is not only used for Dunhuang clay sculpture production, but also used for carving cultural relics and modern ceramics and other fields, enjoying a good reputation.

2. Linze Loess, Gansu

Linze County is located at the intersection of high mountains and vast plains, with a complex terrain, barren land, and a dry climate, which makes the local natural environment harsher than that of Shandong's fine white clay. However, this unique geographical and climatic condition has given Linze Huangtu a different artistic value from the norm.

The yellow clay is brightly colored, unique, has good adhesion and durability, and is not easily broken when it is exposed to water, which makes it a favorite of clay sculptors. In Gansu Dunhuang and the surrounding areas, Linze loess has always been one of the important raw materials for making mud sculptures. As early as the Tang Dynasty, there are documents that every spring, Linze youths would go out to pick loess for mud sculpture production.

All in all, the fine clay used in Dunhuang clay sculpture has two kinds of fine white clay from Weixian, Shandong Province and yellow clay from Linze, Gansu Province. Different soil conditions, climatic environments, and production techniques all affect the materials used in clay sculpture, resulting in artwork with different characteristics. These natural materials not only create a good foundation for Dunhuang clay sculpture, but also become a precious treasure of historical and cultural heritage.