Life
Special exhibition showcases rare lacquered and gilded wooden objects kicks off in Hanoi
An exhibition, themed “Sparkling - Collection of lacquered and gilded wood objects” showcasing more than 100 lacquered and gilded wooden objects opened on June 20 and will run through November 2017 at the National Museum of History, 1 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Worship Statue, the Nguyen Dynasty, 19th - 20th century.
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Worshiping statues featuring the Bodhisattva, the Sakyamuni Buddha, Buddhas of the Three Stages; and horizontal lacquered boards are also on display at the exhibition.
The artworks not only highlight the aesthetic awareness and talent of Vietnamese craftsmen but also tell stories of Vietnam’s history, arts, customs, religions and beliefs. The objects date back from Vietnam’s Ly and Nguyen dynasties (from the 16th to 20th centuries), a period when the trade of lacquered and gilded wares flourished.
Lacquered and gilded wares are longstanding trades of the Vietnamese people. Such objects have been found during excavations of tombs in archaeological sites in the Red River Delta, which are believed to date back some 2,000 years ago.
Wood carving and lacquered painting is a profession with a long tradition in Vietnam. This type of objects have been found in the Dong Son period's tombs excavated in Viet Khe, Chau Can, Duong Du, Xuan La, Minh Duc, Chau Son.
Along with the history of the Vietnamese feudal dynasties as well as the development of religions and creeds, the industry of lacquered and gilded wares became more and more prosperous. Although undergoing many ups and downs, even sometimes it seemed to be lost, however the industry has been recovered and flourished.
In addition to agriculture, many regions in our country have auxiliary jobs as carpentry for the construction of houses, pagodas, furniture, statues or ornaments. Lacquered and gilded objects were made through many meticulous steps with high aesthetic and national identity. Base on the basis of the traditional quintessence, the artists created valuable products to serve the needs of daily living and spiritual activities.
