Vietnamese Ancient Ceramic Statues- chronicles the historical roots of Vietnamese culture

(Cinet)- The exhibition titled Vietnamese Ancient Ceramic Statues opened on April 22 displaying 70 items dating back 4,000 years with the aim to promote their cultural value and preservation efforts.

The exhibition shows how the materials, forms, technique and decorations of ceramic statues have evolved over time.

Ceramics is the earliest craft in the history of human civilisation. In Viet Nam, the oldest ceramic statues trace back to the Phung Nguyen, Dong Dau and Go Mun cultures 4,000 years ago and take the shapes of humans and animals.

In the feudal periods, the variations in the colour and decoration of ceramic items became grew. At this time, people did not use ceramics for aesthetic purposes but for daily life and religious practices.

Inspired by nature and daily life, artisans with skillful hands created earthenware, terra cotta and ceramic objects which reflected the Vietnamese people’s life and society in different periods of history.

Among the ancient ceramic statues, those were used as household utensils were most popular because of their roles in life. The statues also present many themes such as humankind, birds and domesticated animals.

Ancient statues used in religious rituals include mainly Buddhist statues and deities in religious folklore. Buddhist statues range between depictions of Sakyamuni, Goddess of Mercy and monks.

The statues were often worshipped in the Buddhist stupa and temples and at ancestral altars. They were considered as symbol of belief and the desire to attain good health, peace, prosperity and happiness.

Domestic ceremics include lamps, caldrons, vessels and flower pots which are used to connect with sacred beings such as the dragon, phoenix, kylin and lion-dog. Mythical creatures, such as kylins, are believed to bring good omens and drive away evil spirits.

Decorative ceramic statues include those depicting dragons, kylins and lion-dogs are often positioned on the roof of religious and imperial monuments such as pagodas, temples, communal houses, temple gates, palaces, tombs and village gates.

The exhibition will run until the end of August, at the Viet Nam National Museum of History, Ha Noi.

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