What's so special about the four national treasures recently recognized in Hue?

HUE - Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long has signed a decision recognizing 33 national treasures, including four additional sets of artifacts from Hue that have been recognized as national treasures.

Four artifacts in Hue have recently been recognized as national treasures: the Ngo Mon Bell from the Minh Mang era, the Minh Mang era reliefs, the pair of dragon statues from the Thieu Tri era, and the Duy Tan Emperor's throne. The Ngo Mon Bell (a unique piece) was cast in the third year of Minh Mang's reign (1822). Standing nearly 4 thước (1.8m) tall and weighing 1,359 cân (815kg), it is one of the largest and heaviest bells of the Nguyen dynasty. This bell was used in administrative activities and is considered a symbol of the dynasty.

The national treasure, the Ngo Mon bell, is housed in the Ngu Phung Pavilion. Photo: Nguyen Luan.

The Ngo Mon Bell is a remarkable work of art showcasing the sculpture, painting, and bronze casting techniques of the Minh Mang era (1820-1841) in particular, and the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) in general. Meanwhile, the Minh Mang-era relief sculpture was crafted in 1829. This is the only marble artifact that retains the imprint of Emperor Minh Mang, as evidenced by the "Imperial Poem" and the "Minh" poem inscribed on both sides of the relief.

The pair of dragon statues from the reign of Emperor Thieu Tri, a national treasure, are currently housed inside the Thai Hoa Palace (Hue Imperial Citadel). Photo: Nguyen Luan.

To date, according to research by the Hue Imperial Antiquities Museum, no individual, organization, or unit has published information about an artifact with similar characteristics, parameters, and condition to the one currently held by the Museum. The third artifact recognized as a National Treasure is a pair of dragon statues from the Thieu Tri era , dating back to 1842. Accordingly, the "dragon statues" from the Thieu Tri era are a set of artifacts of historical, artistic, and cultural value. The dragon statues represent the pinnacle of integration, mimicking the shape of the "golden seals and imperial stamps" cast under the dynasties from Minh Mang to Thieu Tri, in the style of a coiled dragon. Through the distinctive dragon imagery of the Nguyen Dynasty, with motifs (dragon hidden in clouds, chrysanthemums, sun, swirling patterns) and decorative patterns (clouds, fiery swords, the character "gong") symbolizing the role of "Son of Heaven," dragon statues represent the strong power of the monarchy and the aspiration for a peaceful and prosperous country, and a people who are happy and well-fed.

The Duy Tan Emperor's throne, a national treasure, is currently preserved inside the Hue Imperial Antiquities Museum. Photo: Hue Imperial Antiquities Museum.

Finally, there is the Duy Tan Emperor's throne , dating from the early 20th century, currently housed at the Hue Imperial Antiquities Museum. Emperor Duy Tan ascended the throne in the year Dinh Mui (September 5, 1907), becoming the 11th emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) at the young age of 7. To suit the emperor's stature, the court specially crafted a smaller throne for use in the coronation ceremony. Depending on its position, the style and decorative patterns on the throne were decorated using various techniques such as painting, gilding, relief carving, or openwork carving. This partly reflects the richness and diversity of wood carving art as well as the skillful hands of contemporary artisans.

Laodong.vn

Source: https://laodong.vn/du-lich/tin-tuc/4-bao-vat-quoc-gia-vua-duoc-cong-nhan-o-hue-co-gi-dac-biet-1445217.html