Maohou: Miniature Masterpiece
Updated: 2007-06-01 09:01
In Chinese, "maohou monkey" is a cute name for a little kid. But actually, "maohou" is a form of folk art, invented by the restless son of an apothecary.
"Maohou" is not a true animal, but a puppet built with cicada shells and magnolia buds. With slender limbs and tail, "maohou" monkeys are undeniably cute.
The first was designed in the Qing Dynasty, in a Beijing
herbal medicine shop. As the shopkeeper was too frugal to provide toys, his son
produced a little monkey with a magnolia bud for a body, and cicada shells as
limbs. Surprisingly the boss did not become angry when he saw it, but was
interested, and systematized the "maohou"-making process.
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