Mongolian doll goes global

By Liu Shangjing (chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2016-01-26

The figurine dressed in traditional Mongolian clothing has been getting the attention of doll collectors from China and abroad after an Inner Mongolian man and his handicrafts team decided to make an ethnic Mongolian doll, with the name "Buteleqi" (Mongolian for ‘pioneer’).

The main designer, 32-years old Barteer, graduated from the University of California's School of Art in 2004, then one year ago, decided to go back to his hometown to start a company. He joined 28 other art majors from China and abroad in setting up a team and opening the Inner Mongolia Taiweng Movie and TV Culture Co, in the College Student Start-up Park in the city of Ordos, Inner Mongolia, to promote Mongolian art culture.

In commenting on the development, Barteer explains, "Foreigners are interested in Mongolian culture and often ask about how the descendants of Ghengis Khan live on the grasslands and what they wear. I wanted to create handicrafts with Mongolian features to teach foreigners more about Mongolian culture." He now has an exhibition hall with more than 100 of the Buteleqi dolls on display, as if telling an old Mongolian story.

Their delicate features, fair skin, lovely faces, and elaborate garb show that they are hand-made, in line with Barteer and the team's style. But, they encountered a lot of difficulties at first because of a shortage of funds. And, while the doll might have a high price, the market development, research and promotion cost a lot as well. Barteer worked hard to expand his business from simple cloth designs and adult costumes to keep the company running, then waited for the opportunity to enter the international market.

And his hard work paid off, with these Mongolian dolls appearing more at Chinese and foreign arts and crafts fairs and winning praise. The team received an overseas order a year after starting their business, for more than 600 of the dolls with a unit price of 6800 yuan ($912), giving them international exposure.

Mongolian dolls on display at a tourist goods activity.

Mongolian dolls on display at a tourist goods activity.

 

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