My Thien pottery craft in Quang Ngai recognized as national intangible cultural heritage

On July 6, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a decision to announce the list of national intangible cultural heritage for the traditional craft, My Thien pottery (now Binh Son commune, Quang Ngai province).

Over 200 years ago, My Thien pottery was famous far and wide, especially in Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands. Today, only artisan Dang Van Trinh (60 years old, Binh Son commune, Quang Ngai province) remains in My Thien pottery village, preserving the traditional craft.

Mr. Dang Van Trinh, the only person still practicing the My Thien pottery craft. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Each My Thien ceramic product always embodies unique technical and artistic elements, such as: the five-clawed dragon sculpture in the style of the Ly Dynasty, symbolizing nobility and sacredness; the bamboo branch symbolizing a virtuous person, signifying good fortune and prosperity; and the mouse, associated with the image of "a mouse falling into a jar of sticky rice," symbolizing abundance and prosperity.

Raised patterns are a unique technique of My Thien pottery. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

The product is entirely handcrafted and fired twice in a kiln: the first time to create the base, and the second time after glazing to finalize the color. My Thien ceramic glaze is unique due to its natural color tones and is entirely dependent on kiln techniques, humidity, temperature, and the refined sensibility of the craftsman.

NGUYEN TRANG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nghe-gom-my-thien-o-quang-ngai-duoc-cong-nhan-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-quoc-gia-post802692.html