Ha Tinh proposes recognizing three more national treasures.

Việt Nam•01/12/2023

With their significant historical and cultural value, the palanquin used to carry successful doctoral graduates home after passing the imperial examinations, the teaching platform of Phuc Giang School, and the seal of Mr. Nguyen Huy Quynh have been proposed by the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province for recognition as national treasures.

Truong Luu Village (Kim Song Truong Commune, Can Loc District).

In Document No. 6626/UBND-VX1, dated November 23, 2023, from the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Department of Cultural Heritage (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) regarding the proposal for recognition of national treasures, Ha Tinh proposed three artifacts: the palanquin carrying the doctoral laureate returning home in triumph, the teaching platform of Phuc Giang School, and the seal of Nguyen Huy Quynh.

The palanquin used for the triumphant return of doctoral graduates was made in 1748 to carry Nguyen Huy Oanh (1713 - 1789) when he passed the Imperial Examination with the highest rank (Third-ranked), and later to carry Nguyen Huy Quynh (1734 - 1785) in 1772 when he passed the Imperial Examination with the highest rank (Doctorate) and returned home to pay respects to his ancestors. Later, the palanquin was used to carry celestial and human deities during the Kỳ Phúc ceremonies of Truong Luu village.

Ha Tinh proposes recognizing three more national treasures.

A palanquin carrying the laureate of the Nguyen Huy family from Truong Luu, returning home in triumph.

The palanquin used to carry the doctoral laureates returning home in triumph is an artifact made of mahogany wood, measuring 3.22m long, 1m wide, and 1.06m high (1.71m including the detachable canopy); weighing 28kg. The palanquin has a 3.22m long carrying pole intricately carved with eye and dragon motifs; in the center is a seat measuring 84cm x 76.5cm and a detachable canopy that is 0.65m high when not in use. The palanquin is in excellent condition, a unique artifact of great value for studying the history and culture of Ha Tinh province in particular and Vietnam in general during the 18th century.

The teaching platform at Phuc Giang School is an artifact used by the top scholar Nguyen Huy Oanh for teaching. This is where he sat to lecture his students from 1732, after passing the provincial examination, until later. The platform was also used by many teachers at Phuc Giang School and other renowned scholars when they came to teach there.

Ha Tinh proposes recognizing three more national treasures.

Classroom collapses at Phuc Giang School.

The bed frame is made of solid ironwood and branches, measuring 1.51m in length, 1.45m in width, and 0.33m in height, weighing 95kg. The four pillars of the bed frame are intricately carved with animal figures. This unique artifact is associated with Phuc Giang School, which trained over 30 PhDs for the country during the feudal era.

Nguyen Huy Quynh's seal is made of ivory, hexagonal in shape, 1.2cm high, measuring 2.6cm x 2.4cm, and weighing 20g.

Ha Tinh proposes recognizing three more national treasures.

The seal of Dr. Nguyen Huy Quynh.

According to ancient custom, Confucian scholars all had seals to print on related documents; those who passed examinations and held official positions often had their own seals. Nguyen Huy Quynh passed the doctoral examination in the year of the Water Dragon (1772), entered the civil service, and rose to the position of Lecturer at the National Academy and Governor of Thuan Quang. Whenever he had business dealings, he often used his own seal. The Nguyen Huy Quynh seal is a unique copy, preserved by his descendants at his ancestral temple in Kim Song Truong commune (Can Loc).

All three artifacts are unique antiques, hundreds of years old, preserving many cultural and historical values of Ha Tinh province in particular and the nation in general, and have been preserved intact by descendants of the Nguyen Huy - Truong Luu family. Being recognized as national treasures will contribute to improving conservation efforts and further promoting the values of these artifacts.

Thien Vy

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