Chic-Chic Story
In my quest for simplicity without compromising detail or personality, I'm pleased to introduce you to Chic-Chic baby chicks. Currently they are featured in grey cotton velvet and orange pin wale corduroy with navy blue sashiko hand embroidery.
Chic-Chics have closed eyes - they are still so sleepy because they are young, just baby chickens. Their simple shape is also a reminder of their fledgling state. Anyone who has cared for little animals knows how much they like to bunch together when they sleep and enjoy frolicking together when awake, curiously checking here and there for food.
It's funny how an image can create a seed in the mind. The Chinese peasant painting "Two Old Men Playing Chess" by Jun Zhang from Shanxi has always been a favourite of mine. The old men looking so content playing chess, smoking a pipe and having tea by the fruiting vine. It displays a natural piety that William Wordsworth would recognise. Can you see the little chicks playing amidst the old friends? Well, there you have the seed of inspiration for this toy series! It has been over a year since the loving contemplation of this painting. Then, one day, a shape reminiscent of the baby chickens from the painting fell into my lap. So now I can bring to you our new friends Chic-Chic (chick-chick).
Chic-Chics are approximately 16.5cm (6 1/4 inches) from nose to tail and standing approx. 7.5 cm (3 inches) tall. They are available in right and left facing colour/grey and are weighted to stand independently.
*"Two Old Men Playing Chess", by Jun Zhang from Shanxi China, Chinese Peasant Paintings: Familiar Scenes and Everyday Language exhibition catalogue, Chinese Exhibition Agency, 1980s.
