Hue Culture researcher Nguyen Xuan Hoa has 2 artifacts donated in 2022 on display on this occasion.

Extending the journey of preserving heritage

Director of Hue Royal Antiquities Museum, Mr. Ngo Van Minh said that the work of receiving donated artifacts has been going on since very early, becoming a continuous flow in the process of formation and development of the museum. Since the socialization policy in 1995, the museum has received 466 artifacts and groups of artifacts with diverse materials, functions, and ages: from ceramics, porcelain, stone, bronze, wood to fabric, paper, glass, crystal, ivory...

“Donating artifacts not only adds to the source of display materials, but also shows the community's support in preserving national cultural memories,” Mr. Minh emphasized.

Among the donors, there were many touching stories. People's Artisan Tran Do (Bat Trang pottery village - Hanoi ) brought the work "Long Ma" to Hue on this occasion, sharing: "For many years, I and the villagers of the pottery village have always wanted to send Hue works bearing the mark of Bat Trang. That is the sentiment for the heritage land".

People's Artist Tran Do (right) presents the work "Long Ma" at the exhibition

Hue Culture researcher Nguyen Xuan Hoa expressed surprise at the scale and depth of the exhibition: “Only more than 40 artifacts are on display, but we can see the richness and special value. If we maintain exhibitions like this, the community will better understand the meaning of donation, thereby encouraging families who are keeping antiques to send them to the museum.”

Many antique collectors in Hue have also quietly contributed over the years. Mr. Mai Ba Thien (Hue City) donated two ceramic lime pots from the Nguyen Dynasty this time, saying: "After decades of collecting, I understand that the museum is the best place for antiques to be preserved and studied."

At this exhibition, there are many special artifacts introduced to the public: Two dresses of Lady Tu Cung donated by Lady Cong Ton Nu Kim Chi (2025); Nhat Binh dress - the ceremonial dress of Queen Nam Phuong, bought at auction and donated by the family of Mrs. Phan Thuy Khanh and her son Tran Phan Anh (2024); Nhat Binh dress of the Royal Lady donated by Sunshine Group in 2022; along with a series of royal decrees from the reigns of King Thieu Tri, Tu Duc, Dong Khanh, Khai Dinh; a pair of elephant tusks dating from 1802 - 1945 donated by overseas Vietnamese in France Bui Cam Ha; relics of King Ham Nghi such as a mother-of-pearl inlaid pipe, a pair of silver-plated ivory chopsticks; and two 19th-century bronze cannons...

Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, Mr. Hoang Viet Trung said: “These artifacts are not only valuable in material terms, but also contain royal memories, culture and history. The most valuable thing is the heart of the donor - they want the ancient values ​​to be returned to the right place, to be preserved forever.”

Convey trust

Hue has received many precious antiques thanks to the generosity of domestic and foreign philanthropists. Researcher Tran Dinh Son donated many precious antiques of the Nguyen Dynasty; Mr. Jean Dabat donated the museum the painting “Lake on the Alps” - a work by King Ham Nghi created in France; many collectors such as Nguyen Huu Hoang, Pham Hy Tung, Doan Phuoc Thuan… have also donated precious antiques many times.

Mr. Hoang Viet Trung said that, after 143 years of existence, the Nguyen Dynasty left behind a huge heritage but also suffered many losses due to the changes of the times. "Therefore, the act of individuals and organizations searching for, buying, preserving and repatriating antiquities is an extremely precious act," Mr. Trung said.

Many donors hope that the values ​​they have kept for so long will be displayed properly, preserved according to standards and continue to tell the historical story. Because donating heritage is not only returning artifacts to their original place, but also a way to show responsibility for national culture. The Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center said that in the near future, the descendants of King Ham Nghi plan to continue donating more artifacts, hoping to form a separate museum about this emperor - artist.

According to Mr. Trung, the owners of antiques need time to believe. When they see how we cherish our heritage, see that the antiques are safely preserved and displayed at their true value, they will feel secure in entrusting them. And that trust creates a spread. Mr. Trung also frankly admitted that many Nguyen Dynasty antiques used to have very high prices on the international market. The State could hardly afford to buy them. But the generosity of the donors has helped many priceless values ​​return.

Article and photos: Lien Minh

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/hien-tang-de-bao-ton-va-lan-toa-160199.html