Many of the horizontal and vertical inscriptions in Binh Thien communal house (Bien Hoa city) have been preserved and restored with gold leaf. Photo: L.Na |
Preserving the colors of a century-old heritage.
The preservation and restoration of gilded lacquerware on horizontal plaques, couplets, and inscription boards at many historical sites in Dong Nai province has been a focus of attention for the cultural sector and local authorities.
Báo Đồng Nai•29/05/2025
Not only does it revive the original beauty of artifacts and preserve the centuries-old heritage, but through preservation and restoration of gilded lacquer, it also contributes to the conservation and promotion of cultural values of historical sites, connecting them with tourism development.
Efforts to revive the original beauty of historical artifacts.
Phuoc Lu communal house is one of the communal houses that has existed and developed for over 200 years, closely associated with the formation and development of Phuoc Lu village, the former Bien Hoa town (now Trung Dung ward, Bien Hoa city). Many of the horizontal plaques, couplets, and inscriptions on the altar have been preserved and restored with red lacquer and gold leaf.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Duc, who has been in charge of the Phuoc Lu communal house relic for over 5 years, said that local people are very happy that the horizontal plaques and couplets at the relic have been preserved and restored with gold leaf. Not only has this extended the lifespan of the artifacts, but the preservation and restoration have also revived their beauty, returning them to their original form.
“Besides preserving and restoring the gilded lacquer, some parts of the monument are currently deteriorating, such as damaged eaves causing leaks, and wooden pillars infested with termites… The Monument Management Board hopes to receive approval from the authorities for restoration and renovation soon to prevent further damage,” Mr. Duc shared.
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The Binh Quan communal house (located in Hiep Hoa ward, Bien Hoa city) was built around the 19th century under the name Binh Quan Temple. It was classified as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic in 2004. Over time, due to the hot, humid climate and heavy rainfall, the wooden horizontal plaques, couplets, altar boards, and ornate doors, painted with red lacquer and gold leaf, have deteriorated, becoming damp, moldy, and infested with termites. The entire surface of these artifacts has been covered with a layer of industrial paint. Some couplets and horizontal plaques are cracked, and the joints are damaged; this includes 6 pairs of couplets in the main hall, the Lady's shrine, and the memorial house, 13 altar boards, 5 horizontal plaques, and 5 sets of ornate doors…
On May 14th, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism sent a document to the Provincial People's Committee proposing that the Provincial People's Committee assign the Dong Nai Museum as the investor and implementer of the Project for the Preservation, Restoration, and Rehabilitation of the gilded lacquerware, horizontal plaques, couplets, altar inscriptions, and arched doorways at Binh Quan communal house relic. The funding for this project will come from the provincial budget (recurrent expenditure).
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Promoting the cultural value of historical sites.
Dong Nai currently has over 70 classified historical sites, many of which have deteriorated horizontal plaques, couplets, and inscription boards that have been preserved and restored with gold leaf. Notable examples include: Binh Thien communal house, Tan Lan communal house (Bien Hoa city); Phu My communal house (Nhon Trach district); Phuoc Loc communal house (Long Thanh district)...
The horizontal plaques, couplets, and inscription boards at Phu My communal house (Phu Hoi commune, Nhon Trach district) have been restored with red lacquer and gold leaf after a long period of deterioration. |
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With many years of experience in preserving and gilding artifacts at temples and shrines both within and outside the province, Mr. Le Hoang Vu (residing in Ward 6, Trung Dung Commune, Bien Hoa City) said that restoring gilded artifacts is not simply about returning them to their original state, but also a process requiring a deep understanding of traditional art, materials, and even religious customs. From cleaning the wood and treating it for termites to gilding, every step must strictly adhere to heritage preservation procedures.
"Many ancient temples and shrines, after being restored and repainted, not only shine brightly in appearance but also become community hubs. They are places where local people organize festivals, educate about traditions, and attract tourists from near and far to visit and learn about the culture and history of the nation," said Mr. Vu.
Preserving the vibrant colors of centuries-old heritage is not just the responsibility of the cultural sector or the government, but also stems from the love for heritage of each individual citizen. In Dong Nai, this journey continues at many historical sites. Each restoration, each layer of "golden splendor" recovered, is another opportunity for the past to be called back into existence. It's not just about preserving physical objects, but also about preserving memories and community identity. And this journey continues as persistently as the never-ending flow of cultural heritage.
Ly Na
Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/van-hoa/202505/giu-mau-cho-di-san-tram-nam-62d509c/
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