The quintessence of Dai Bai bronze in the heritage land of Bac Ninh

Dai Bai village (Gia Binh district, Bac Ninh province) has long been famous as the cradle of bronze casting in the Northern region, a craft that appeared around the beginning of the 11th century, with a history of 1,000 years, associated with the work of the founder of the craft, Nguyen Cong Truyen.

Through many ups and downs, today Dai Bai copper still retains its traditional beauty, while constantly changing, adapting to the market and developing in the new era.

At the event "Quintessence of Bac Ninh culture - Colors of Dong Ho", taking place on March 29-30 at Hoan Kiem Lake walking street (Hanoi), bronze artisans from Dai Bai village introduced to the capital's public many unique bronze products such as horizontal lacquered boards, parallel sentences, incense burners, bronze urns, worship statues and a series of sophisticated fine art items.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Nam (38 years old), from Dai Bai bronze village (Gia Binh, Bac Ninh), has devoted 18 years to the profession and shared: Bronze casting not only requires high technique but also perseverance, meticulousness and passion. Each finished product is the crystallization of effort and dedication.

Thanks to the active support from the Bac Ninh provincial government, he and other artisans in the village have had the opportunity to participate in many cultural events, thereby promoting the quintessence of Dai Bai bronze, expanding the market and bringing the craft village brand far and wide.

In the colorful picture of Kinh Bac culture, Dai Bai bronze shines like a gem polished over centuries. If Dong Ho paintings captivate people with simple strokes and rustic colors imbued with the homeland, Dai Bai bronze conquers with its enduring, timeless beauty. Different in materials and techniques, but both share the same mission: to preserve the national soul and spread the Vietnamese spirit.

The quintessence of Dai Bai bronze is expressed through two key elements: skillful casting techniques and delicate carving art.

The artisans not only use pure copper but also mix alloys according to their own secret recipe to create unique shades and durability. On the copper background, graceful dragon and phoenix patterns, majestic images of Dong Son bronze drums or peaceful village scenes shine - all are brought to life in a vivid way, demonstrating the talented hands and endless creativity of the craftsmen here.

Visitors have the opportunity to admire and experience the quintessence of Dai Bai bronze casting at the exhibition booths in the event "Quintessence of Bac Ninh culture - Colors of Dong Ho". (Photo: The Duong)

To create a complete product, the craftsman must go through a multi-stage process: creating a model, casting, melting raw materials, pouring molds, hammering and delicately carving. Each step requires absolute precision and experience accumulated over many years. It is also thanks to this strict process that each Dai Bai bronze product is not only a high-end item but also an embodiment of Vietnamese culture, passed down from generation to generation as an endless pride.

Not just a daily necessities, Dai Bai bronze has transformed into a masterpiece of art. Artisans are constantly innovating, creating exquisite bronze statues, vivid reliefs, majestic worship objects and unique feng shui paintings. Each work is imbued with the Vietnamese soul, a combination of traditional techniques and endless creativity.

With 300 cooperatives, enterprises and 350 households, during peak periods there were more than 600 cooperatives, enterprises and nearly 700 households in all 5 hamlets, each hamlet specializing in a type of product, Dai Bai is affirming its position as a leading craft village in Bac Ninh province. In particular, there are 15 large, effectively operating enterprises that have brought their products to the world, to many countries such as Japan, Korea and the EU.

Facing the integration trend, Dai Bai is writing a story of preserving its identity in the integration period. The craft village firmly maintains its traditions - from unique bronze casting techniques to patterns bearing the imprint of Vietnamese culture, while constantly innovating to adapt to the international market. Cultural events such as "The Quintessence of Bac Ninh" are the bridge that helps Dai Bai bronze shine, affirming its position as a living heritage in the midst of modernity.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tinh-hoa-dong-dai-bai-giua-mien-di-san-bac-ninh-post868811.html