Treasured toys

A silk doll first made in China more than a thousand years ago remains a popular fixture in many Chinese homes

Long-legged, fair-haired, and dressed in the most fashionable clothes, the Barbie doll has become an icon among children's toys in the West. But more than a thousand years ago a doll that swept China has just as much allure for youngsters.

Juanren, or silk doll, first appeared in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), and remained popular across China for centuries.

They were designed with detailed facial expressions and could be found in most Chinese homes, placed inside their own special cabinet.

They were made of thin silk, gauze and damask silk and depicted both men and women from folktales, operas and traditional dramas. In many cases designers dressed them in the style of a particular ethnic group.

"Ancient Chinese fabric toys are very closely connected to silk figurines," says Zhong Bingtian, a researcher at the China Folklore Society.

"The evolution and development of silk and knitted goods has gone hand in hand."

Juanren has been through many phases of development. In the early Song Dynasty (960-1279), designers began to create clothes for the dolls, made from fine brocade.

In the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), they became an increasingly popular toy. And in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) the figurines began to appear depicting gods and goddesses from Chinese mythology.

"It was a folk tradition to make silk dolls to give to younger generations as a gift during the Dragon Boat Festival in many areas of southern China," Zhong says.

"And in the north, colorful silk and elegant satin were used to make the God of Felicity as a typical birthday present."