Art form gets new frame of reference

In recent years, Chinese art has become big business, with both modern and classical works raising eyebrows and fetching large sums at auction houses around the world.

With Paper Horses, David Leffman focuses the spotlight on the other end of the spectrum, the humble woodblock print. The British photojournalist and travel writer has been collecting prints for nearly 30 years, and he uses his deep knowledge and understanding — gained from a variety of sources at home and abroad — to describe the functions and aesthetics of a series representing gods of northern Chinese folklore from about a century ago.

The prints, cheap and mass-produced by craftsmen, were known as zhima from the Chinese characters for "paper" and "horse", an appropriate name for beasts designed to carry people's wishes to the relevant god or gods, asking them to intercede and prevent harm from befalling family or business ventures and to ensure happy outcomes.

In part, it is a mystery story as Leffman explains in his introduction how he tracked down the origins of a set of prints he bought in 2020 and the research he undertook to verify his findings.

This handsome hardcover — there are no plans for a softcover edition — contains 93 plates. Some are monochrome except for a block of red that outlines the subject of the print, while others are a riot of color. The page facing each plate contains text by Leffman that provides information about the role the god or symbol played in the pantheon of deities.

Printed by Blacksmith Books of Hong Kong, the price of $36 (250 yuan) is a reflection of the high cost of color printing and the quality of the materials used, and is easily comparable to other art books on the market.

While it will probably be of most interest to academics, libraries and amateur enthusiasts, this collection will also be of use to the interested novice and it will certainly enhance Leffman's reputation as a rising authority on the art form.