Dough Sculpting

Dough Sculpting, or Miansu, is a traditional Chinese folk art of creating intricate figures from dyed dough. It is recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China.

This art form uses simple materials—primarily wheat flour dough—to create detailed sculptures. For generations, it has been preserved and passed down within families of skilled artisans, embodying significant cultural and historical value.

Originating from various regions across China, dough sculpting has a rich history. In Heze, Shandong, Caozhou dough figurines gained fame through masters like Li Fangqing. His descendant, Li Bin, continues this legacy by innovating with modern themes to engage new audiences.

This art creates vivid 3D models of historical, mythical, and folk characters, as well as animals and plants. It serves as both an artistic expression and a medium for cultural storytelling, preserving China’s intangible heritage in a tangible form.

The craft faces challenges in preservation due to its complexity and declining interest. However, artisans and cultural groups are promoting it through workshops, festivals, and education programs to ensure its continuation and evolution.