Four precious artifacts from the Nguyen Dynasty are proposed to be recognized as national treasures.

VHO - On September 29, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center announced that the Appraisal Council of Thua Thien Hue province had met to evaluate and agree on the dossier requesting recognition as national treasures for 4 precious artifacts and sets of artifacts from the Nguyen Dynasty.

A set of dragon statues from the Thieu Tri period is currently placed in front of the Duyet Thi Duong theater, Hue Imperial City. Photo: S. Thuy

Specifically, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center has prepared a dossier to propose recognition of four artifacts as national treasures, including: Ngo Mon bell; Minh Mang period stone relief; Duy Tan emperor's throne; and Thieu Tri period dragon statue.

These artifacts are selected based on criteria to determine artifacts as national treasures, such as: uniqueness; special value marking important historical events of the country or associated with historical figures...

Currently, the Ngo Mon bell is the only bell (unique), located at the main southern gate of the Hue Imperial City. This bell is used in royal ceremonies, considered the "symbol" of the Nguyen Dynasty.

This is a unique work of art in the sculpture, painting, and bronze casting industry of the Minh Mang Dynasty in particular and the Nguyen Dynasty in general. The National History Institute of the Nguyen Dynasty has specifically recorded the bell casting process.

The Minh Mang stone relief is currently preserved and displayed at the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum. This is the only marble artifact that bears the mark of Emperor Minh Mang. On both sides of the relief are engraved the poem “Ngu Che” and the poem “Minh”.

Stone reliefs from the Minh Mang period are currently on display at the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum. Photo: S.Thuy

This artifact is also considered a unique and typical masterpiece, demonstrating the pinnacle of stone carving and wood carving skills of artisans under the Nguyen Dynasty.

The Duy Tan Emperor's throne was specially made for him by the royal court when he ascended the throne at the age of 7. The style and decorative patterns on the throne applied the techniques of painting, gilding and embossing, demonstrating the richness and diversity of wood carving art at that time.

This artifact is currently kept in the storage facility of the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum. In the near future, the museum will organize an exhibition to introduce the throne of King Duy Tan to the public.

The Thieu Tri Dynasty Dragon Statue is a set of bronze artifacts with historical, artistic and cultural value. This set of artifacts is the pinnacle of integration, simulating the shape of the "golden seals" cast from the Minh Mang Dynasty to the Thieu Tri Dynasty with the "wrapped dragon" style.

This set of artifacts is located right in front of the Duyet Thi Duong theater, Hue Imperial City - a stopover for domestic and international tourists to visit and enjoy traditional Hue Royal art.

According to Mr. Ngo Van Minh, Director of the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum (under the Hue Monuments Conservation Center), the artifacts selected to build the dossier for national treasure recognition this time are all large in size and made of durable materials.

In particular, these are unique artifacts/sets of artifacts, with intact components, complete and sharp motifs. These artifacts have unique forms of expression and have typical historical, cultural, and artistic values...

Up to now, Thua Thien Hue has 10 artifacts/sets of artifacts with 35 individual artifacts that have been recognized as national treasures. Of which, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center is managing and promoting the value of 8 artifacts/sets of artifacts with 33 individual artifacts; the remaining 2 national treasures are being preserved at the Provincial History Museum.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/4-hien-vat-quy-thoi-trieu-nguyen-duoc-de-nghi-cong-nhan-bao-vat-quoc-gia-106758.html