The man who "revived" ancient artifacts.

The man who

Artisan Tran Van Thanh diligently works on restoring ancient artifacts. Photo: Le Anh

Artisan Tran Van Thanh's passion for antiques began around 2004. He shared that, over the past twenty years, he has dedicated his time and effort to acquiring and restoring hundreds of rusted and dilapidated artifacts, including some that seemed beyond repair. Many artifacts, dating back over 2,000 years, have gradually regained their original form after his work, with their patterns becoming more prominent under the warm light. "This work requires dedication and integrity. I not only research documents and history but also regularly visit museums nationwide. When restoring any artifact, I always ponder over each crack and imperfection caused by time. It feels like I'm returning to the stories of the past," Mr. Thanh said. For him, the work is not simply about technique but also about a dialogue between the present and the past, between his personal soul and the history of his homeland.

He began his journey of learning about ancient artifacts by studying pottery making, bronze casting, and restoration techniques through books, documents, and even from elderly artisans in the field. Although not formally trained, thanks to his perseverance and passion, Mr. Thanh quickly became a well-known name in the ancient artifacts community in Thanh Hoa . He is particularly famous for his ability to restore bronze artifacts, mainly from the Dong Son Culture period, discovered in areas rich in historical relics throughout the province.

Stepping into Mr. Thanh's workspace might lead one to believe they're entering a junkyard rather than an antique restoration workshop. Currently, his workshop houses hundreds of artifacts, both intact and in the process of restoration. Everywhere you look are cracked pottery fragments, dull metal pieces, and patches of rust... He gently lifted up a bronze jar from the Dong Son culture for us to examine, its surface tinged with green and nearly half corroded. After a moment of silence, he said: "Each artifact tells a story. When restoring, it's like hearing the story from the artifact itself, retracing the work of the ancient craftsmen who painted the motifs. First and foremost, a restorer must respect the original. Only the necessary adjustments should be made to preserve the form and spirit of the artifact as it was created." It is this very feeling that makes each artifact restored by Mr. Thanh more vibrant and emotionally resonant than ever before.

According to him, the most difficult aspect of restoration is "reading" the artifact, understanding its materials, artistic style, function, and historical period. Sometimes, even a small mistake or using the wrong proportion of adhesive can lead to the failure of the entire restoration process. Some artifacts take him months, even a year, to complete, but he has never been impatient or given up. For him, antiques are historical witnesses, carrying the voice of time and the soul of the nation. He shared: "I didn't get rich from antiques. What I received in return was joy, the feeling of contributing to preserving cultural heritage."

Mr. Thanh's dedication is highly appreciated by the Thanh Hoa Cultural Heritage and Antiquities Association. Mr. Ho Quang Son, Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Cultural Heritage and Antiquities Association, said: “Over the years, Mr. Thanh has been an active member of the association and has participated in restoring artifacts for several museums nationwide, such as the Hoa Binh Provincial Museum (now Phu Tho Province), the Dak Lak Provincial Museum, etc. Artisan Thanh is one of the very few people in the locality who possesses both the skill of handcrafted restoration and a deep understanding of the cultural value of the artifacts. His contributions have inspired the association's members and fostered appreciation and connection with the history of his homeland within the community.”

In an age where people easily chase after material values and convenience, the story of artisan Tran Van Thanh is clear evidence that there are still quiet individuals contributing to preserving and conserving national cultural identity with their own dedication. They are not noisy, they do not promote themselves extensively, but their work is like a smoldering fire – warm enough to illuminate memories and inspire future generations.

Le Anh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nguoi-hoi-sinh-co-vat-256959.htm