Clay sculpture is an extension of the traditional art category of the fifth batch of representative items of Huai'an's municipal intangible cultural heritage. Historical evolution and distribution Clay sculpture is a traditional handicraft art that uses clay as raw material to shape various images, also known as "clay play". Since the Neolithic Age, Chinese clay sculpture art has been uninterrupted, and it has become an important art form in the Han Dynasty. Archaeologists have excavated a large number of cultural relics from tombs of the Han Dynasty, including numerous pottery figurines, pottery animals, pottery carriages, pottery boats, etc. Some of them are hand-kneaded and some are molded. The ancestors of the Han Dynasty believed that the dead had the same material needs as the living. Therefore, a large number of burial objects were needed in funeral customs, which objectively promoted the development and evolution of clay sculpture. When clay sculpture art developed to the Song Dynasty, not only large-scale Buddhist statues with religious themes continued to prosper, but small clay toys also developed. Many people specialize in making clay figures and sell them as commodities. During the Northern Song Dynasty, the famous clay toy "Mohele" in Tokyo was sold around July 7. Not only did ordinary people buy it to "beg for skill", but dignitaries also bought it to worship and play during the Qixi Festival. After the Yuan Dynasty, through the Ming, Qing and Republic of China, clay sculptures continued to be popular in society, especially small clay sculptures, which can be used for viewing and display, and for children to play with. They are produced almost all over the country, among which the famous production areas are Huishan in Wuxi, "Clay Figure Zhang" in Tianjin, Fengxiang in Shaanxi, Baigou in Hebei, Gaomi in Shandong, Junxian in Henan, Huaiyang and Beijing. The clay sculptures in Huai'an District of Huai'an City were introduced from Shandong by the descendants of the Pan family clay art from Shanxi. Pan Houchen (from Hongdong County) inherited the clay sculpture skills of his ancestors. He usually worked as a farmer and used clay sculptures to make money to support his family during the slack season or during festivals. During the warlords' melee, he drifted to Shandong and set up a stall to sell clay figures. At the same time, he passed on the skills to his son Pan Jingui. During the Anti-Japanese War, Pan Jingui joined the army and entered Jiangsu and settled in Huai'an. He also vigorously cultivated his son Pan Xuanwu, allowing clay sculpture art to take root in Huai'an District, Huai'an City. Basic content and important value The clay sculptures made by Pan Xuanwu are mainly based on popular folk legends, folk activities with a strong local flavor, and immortal artistic images in literary masterpieces and drama stages, bringing together celebrities from ancient and modern times and the lives of the people in the market. There are mainly the following processes in clay sculpture production: First, the selection of materials. Choose clay with strong viscosity and fine particles. Second, beating. Add an appropriate amount of water and cotton wool to the clay, and beat it repeatedly with a wooden hammer until it becomes cooked mud. Third, conception. According to the observation and experience of the shaping object, a draft is formed in the mind. Fourth, shaping. With the help of appropriate tools, through pinching, patting, piling, pasting, carving, scraping, and cutting techniques, detailed shaping and depiction are carried out. Fifth, modification. After the semi-finished product is dried in the shade, it is polished, modified, sprayed with color, and appropriately outlined. Pan Xuanwu's clay sculptures are mainly realistic, supplemented by freehand brushwork. The proportions of the characters' limbs and facial features are accurate and realistic, and he strives to achieve both form and spirit. He appropriately uses exaggerated expressions, simple hairstyles, and clothing to highlight the spirit. At the same time, he combines the roughness of the north and the delicacy of the south. When making them, Pan Xuanwu pays great attention to the rendering of the charm and the transmission of the spirituality, and strives to shock people's hearts. (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.) (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.)