An eclectic mix of ceramic statues are on display at the VietnamNational Museum of History in Hanoi in an exhibition that chronicles thehistorical roots of the Vietnamese culture.
The exhibitiontitled "Vietnamese Ancient Ceramic Statues" opened earlier this weekdisplaying 70 items dating back 4,000 years with the aim of promotingtheir cultural value and preservation efforts.
It shows how the materials, forms, technique and decorations of ceramic statues have evolved over time.
Ceramicsis the earliest craft in the history of human civilisation. In Vietnam,the oldest ceramic statues trace back to the Phung Nguyen, Dong Dau andGo Mun civilisations 4,000 years ago and take the shapes of humans andanimals.
In the feudal periods, the variations in the colour anddecoration of ceramic items became so rich. At this time, people did notuse ceramics for aesthetic purposes but for daily life and religiouspractices, said the museum's vice director Nguyen Van Doan.
"Vietnamese ancient ceramic statues have different colours including white glaze and crackle glaze and celadon," he said.
Inorder to help visitors understand ancient Vietnamese ceramic art, thestatues are divided into three groups including daily life, religiousand architectural purposes.
"Inspired by nature and daily life,artisans with skillful hands created earthenware, terra cotta andceramic objects which reflected the Vietnamese people's life and societyin different periods of history," Doan said.
Among the ancientceramic statues, those used as household utensils were most popularbecause of their roles in life. The statues also present many themessuch as humankind, birds and domesticated animals.
"The statuesare lively to enhance their reflection of reality. They not only bearspiritual and domestic value but also an aesthetic value," Doanremarked.
Ancient statues used in religious rituals includemainly Buddhist statues and deities in religious folklore. Buddhiststatues range between depictions of Sakyamuni, Goddess of Mercy andmonks.
The statues were often worshipped in the Buddhist stupaand temples and at ancestral altars. They were considered as symbol ofbelief and the desire to attain good health, peace, prosperity andhappiness.
Domestic ceremics include lamps, caldrons, vessels andflower pots which are used to connect with sacred beings such as thedragon, phoenix, kylin and lion-dog. Mythical creatures, such as kylins,are believed to bring good omens and drive way evil spirits.
Decorativeceramic statues include those depicting dragons, kylins and lion-dogsare often positioned on the roof of religious and imperial monumentssuch as pagodas, temples, communal houses, temple gates, palaces, tombsand village gates.
The exhibition will run until the end of August.-VNA
The exhibitiontitled "Vietnamese Ancient Ceramic Statues" opened earlier this weekdisplaying 70 items dating back 4,000 years with the aim of promotingtheir cultural value and preservation efforts.
It shows how the materials, forms, technique and decorations of ceramic statues have evolved over time.
Ceramicsis the earliest craft in the history of human civilisation. In Vietnam,the oldest ceramic statues trace back to the Phung Nguyen, Dong Dau andGo Mun civilisations 4,000 years ago and take the shapes of humans andanimals.
In the feudal periods, the variations in the colour anddecoration of ceramic items became so rich. At this time, people did notuse ceramics for aesthetic purposes but for daily life and religiouspractices, said the museum's vice director Nguyen Van Doan.
"Vietnamese ancient ceramic statues have different colours including white glaze and crackle glaze and celadon," he said.
Inorder to help visitors understand ancient Vietnamese ceramic art, thestatues are divided into three groups including daily life, religiousand architectural purposes.
"Inspired by nature and daily life,artisans with skillful hands created earthenware, terra cotta andceramic objects which reflected the Vietnamese people's life and societyin different periods of history," Doan said.
Among the ancientceramic statues, those used as household utensils were most popularbecause of their roles in life. The statues also present many themessuch as humankind, birds and domesticated animals.
"The statuesare lively to enhance their reflection of reality. They not only bearspiritual and domestic value but also an aesthetic value," Doanremarked.
Ancient statues used in religious rituals includemainly Buddhist statues and deities in religious folklore. Buddhiststatues range between depictions of Sakyamuni, Goddess of Mercy andmonks.
The statues were often worshipped in the Buddhist stupaand temples and at ancestral altars. They were considered as symbol ofbelief and the desire to attain good health, peace, prosperity andhappiness.
Domestic ceremics include lamps, caldrons, vessels andflower pots which are used to connect with sacred beings such as thedragon, phoenix, kylin and lion-dog. Mythical creatures, such as kylins,are believed to bring good omens and drive way evil spirits.
Decorativeceramic statues include those depicting dragons, kylins and lion-dogsare often positioned on the roof of religious and imperial monumentssuch as pagodas, temples, communal houses, temple gates, palaces, tombsand village gates.
The exhibition will run until the end of August.-VNA
