Misunderstanding about the National Treasure Emperor Duy Tan's Throne

(CLO) Emperor Duy Tan's throne is an artifact that fully symbolizes the royal power of the monarchy, and is a work of visual art - sculpture with historical, cultural and artistic value.

In the Prime Minister's recognition of National Treasures on December 13, 2024, there were 4 treasures from the Nguyen Dynasty. Notably, there was the Emperor Duy Tan Throne - one of the two remaining thrones at the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum.

According to the assessment of the Department of Cultural Heritage, Emperor Duy Tan's Throne is a work of visual art - sculpture with historical, cultural and artistic value.

However, this throne was once mistaken for one of the objects of worship and not the Emperor's throne.

Emperor Duy Tan's throne has unique and rare historical and artistic value. Photo: Department of Cultural Heritage

According to Mr. Ngo Van Minh, Director of the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum, before 1994, this throne was kept in the relic warehouse of Trieu Mieu, belonging to the Hue Monuments Conservation Center. Around 1994, the artifact was brought to the antiquities management warehouse of the Hue Royal Fine Arts Museum (now the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum).

During this process, although there were some doubts due to the different shape, size or decorative motifs of the throne being crafted from the worship objects, no one dared to confirm that this was the throne used for the king to sit on.

Only recently, after a photograph of King Duy Tan sitting on the throne was auctioned in France, did experts focus on researching and comparing. The results showed that this throne was used by Emperor Duy Tan during his coronation.

At that time (1907), King Duy Tan was only 7 years old. To suit the emperor's stature, the court had a throne made to suit his size for use in ceremonies. This explains why the throne is quite small: only 94.3 cm high, 50.5 cm long, 62.2 cm wide.

The throne is made from rosewood, weighs about 17.5kg, on top is the image of the sun and 5 sparks. The armrests and back are connected by two dragons, in the middle of the back are two stylized longevity symbols. The entire throne surface is painted red, the lines are gilded.

Overall, the dragon's head is raised high, the sculpture is simple but strong; the dragon on the throne is embossed with rough, majestic features; combined with the image of a phoenix, it shows a sublime, fulfilled posture.

Emperor Duy Tan's throne is a symbol of the supreme power of the dynasty, bearing many unique values ​​in terms of visual and decorative arts of the Nguyen Dynasty in the early 20th century, associated with the history of the Nguyen Dynasty and a part of the life of Emperor Duy Tan and a heroic historical period of the nation in the first half of the 20th century.

The throne used by King Duy Tan during his coronation. Photo: Document

Although he ascended the throne at the age of 7, Emperor Duy Tan soon matured and became a mature personality, possessing the spirit of an emperor. He promoted national spirit and anti-French ideology, then chose to give up the throne to escape the protection of the colonial government and lived in exile for nearly 30 years.

During its nearly 150 years of existence, the Nguyen Dynasty created many thrones, but due to many historical changes, there are currently only 3 remaining thrones.

Besides the throne of Emperor Duy Tan which has just been recognized as a National Treasure, there are only the throne located at Thai Hoa Palace (recognized as a National Treasure in 2015) and the special throne of King Khai Dinh.

T.Toan

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/chuyen-nham-lan-ve-bao-vat-quoc-gia-ngai-hoang-de-duy-tan-post335353.html