The artisans of Dong Xam silver carving village - Thai Binh make tourists admire

As part of the Kim Ngan Communal House Festival and Goldsmiths' Association in 2023, Dong Xam silver carving artisans ( Thai Binh ) performed unique local silver carving techniques for visitors to admire at the festival.

Clip of artisans and students of Dong Xam silver carving village - Thai Binh makes tourists admire: Dong Xam silver carving village is located in Hong Thai commune, Kien Xuong district (Thai Binh). This is considered a place that preserves all the quintessence of silver carving. Silver carving products of Dong Xam village are famous for their sophistication, demonstrating the skillful craftsmanship of the artisans.

The craftsman is always patient, diligent, and meticulously carving and engraving each decorative pattern from rudimentary tools such as awls, nails, hammers, etc.

According to artisan Dinh Quang Thang (Nam Hoa village, Hong Thai commune, Kien Xuong district, Thai Binh province), silver carving is divided into 3 main methods: carving, beading and smooth. Dong Xam silver carving village specializes in carving, this is a complicated method because it requires high concentration, just a small mistake will ruin the entire product. In addition, to have sophisticated products in every line and pattern, artisans must reach a level of mastery.

In the silver carving profession, carving is the stage that requires the most concentration, requiring the artisan to be extremely skillful, not allowing himself to make even the smallest mistake, otherwise the entire product will have to be discarded and redone from the beginning.

“To make a complete silver carving product, 10 different stages are needed. The most important stages are: Smoothing (cutting raw materials, welding details), polishing (carving patterns) and carving (technique determines the sophistication of the product)” - Mr. Thang concluded.

Silver carving requires perseverance, patience and meticulousness to every detail of the artisan.

Although modern machines have helped somewhat, the silver carving craft in Dong Xam village still has certain steps that must be done by humans. Because it requires meticulousness, technique and an aesthetic eye, especially the secrets that only Dong Xam villagers can do. Thanks to such meticulousness, Dong Xam craftsmen have created quality silver carving products, making the village's brand famous everywhere.

According to historical records, during its most prosperous period, Dong Xam artisans were invited to the Hue capital to carve bows, swords, and jewelry for the royal court. And it was they, along with silversmiths in Chau Khe and Dinh Cong, who established Hang Bac Street in Hanoi today.

Craft tools of Dong Xam villagers.

Dong Xam silver carvings are different and stand out from other places in their unique style of product shape and appearance, in their sophisticated yet balanced decorative designs, their splendor while highlighting the main theme, and in their light-dark processing techniques that take advantage of the reflective properties of silver.

Dong Xam's strong products revolve around copper materials, focusing on the worship items segment.

The characteristics of Dong Xam products are the utmost skill, sophistication and perfection. It can be said that the talent and carefulness of Dong Xam silver artisans can meet all usage requirements. Thanks to that, Dong Xam products not only meet the needs of demanding customers but also those who are connoisseurs of art.

Worship objects include various types of incense burners, cauldrons, incense burners, fruit plates, candlesticks, thrones, worship hats, dragons, unicorns, turtles, and phoenixes...

Dong Xam products not only meet the needs of demanding customers but also art connoisseurs.

Mr. Thang shared that Dong Xam products include 3 types: Worship items, fine art and jewelry. In particular, jewelry includes many types such as: necklaces, pendants, rings, earrings, bracelets, bangles, brooches, gongs, crosses... made of silver. Worship items include various types of peaks, cauldrons, incense burners, fruit plates, candlesticks, thrones, worship hats, dragons, unicorns, turtles and phoenixes...

Visitors to the Kim Ngan Communal House Festival and the Jewelry Craft Association in 2023 will be able to witness firsthand the process of making jewelry until the products are finished.

“This job cannot be rushed and not everyone can do it. It requires the worker to be meticulous, patient, especially talented and love the job to be able to pursue it,” Mr. Thang shared.

Nowadays, despite the support of many modern machines, there are still certain stages that must be done by hand, requiring high technical meticulousness, artistic eyes, skillful hands and some "secret" techniques, creating the difference of the products of Dong Xam silver carving village.

This year’s Kim Ngan Communal House Festival and Goldsmiths’ Association aims to honor the founders of the craft and artisans of traditional craft streets and villages. This is an opportunity to connect artisans of goldsmiths’ villages around the capital while preserving the cultural values of the ancient Ke Cho village.

Sophisticated carvings on products of Dong Xam craft village.

Kim Ngan Communal House Festival is a vivid cultural mark, with practical significance contributing to preserving and promoting the traditional cultural identity of the nation.

With the talent of its artisans, Dong Xam silver carving village has been recognized by the Central Association of Vietnamese Craft Villages as one of the 12 typical craft villages nationwide.

In particular, in addition to individuals and units working in the goldsmith profession in the district, there is also the participation of artisans from other craft guilds in Hanoi and many other provinces and cities such as: Dong Xam silver carving craft (Thai Binh); Dinh Cong silver plating craft, Kieu Ky gold and silver plating craft, Ngu Xa bronze casting craft; Chau Khe goldsmith craft ( Hai Duong ); Dai Bai bronze casting craft (Bac Ninh) ...

Silver carving products of Dong Xam village with flying motifs demonstrate the skillful craftsmanship of the artisans.

At this year's festival, the Organizing Committee also held a discussion on "Goldsmithing and the cultural heritage of Thang Long - Hanoi" on April 25 for artisans from craft villages and craft streets to exchange experiences and support each other in developing the craft in the locality.

Visitors are amazed by the silver carvings that are close to everyday life such as silver necklaces, bronze paintings...

This is also an opportunity to introduce products and promote the heritage values of craft villages associated with craft streets, in order to attract tourists .

Some of the finished products are completed by the skillful hands of artisans and displayed for visitors to admire.

Kim Ngan Communal House Festival and Goldsmiths Association will take place until May 7.

Artisan Dinh Quang Thang, born and raised in Hong Thai commune, Kien Xuong district (Thai Binh), Mr. Thang's family has been in the profession for three generations and he is the fourth generation. Since childhood, he followed his grandfather and father to learn the profession. After a period of joining the youth volunteer force and then doing military service, Mr. Thang returned to the village to continue to keep his father's "fire of profession" alive until today. With sophisticated hand-carved handicrafts on silver, copper, and even gold, in Vietnam, Mr. Thang is considered one of the top artisans.

Article, photos, clips: Minh Tue/Tin Tuc Newspaper