Potters making dragon statues

Quang Nam To complete the dragon mascot, the potter must spend a week making the blank, two weeks drawing the eyes, nose, beard, mouth..., many details must be broken and redone several times.

In the last days of the Year of the Cat, Mr. Le Van Nhat, 35 years old, owner of a pottery workshop in Thanh Ha village, Hoi An city, is completing two clay statues of dragons wrapped around a money jar. This is the second time he has made a mascot to display to welcome the New Year of the Dragon 2024 in Thanh Ha pottery village. Last year, he made a cat statue.

Mr. Le Van Nhat is completing the dragon statue wrapped around the soldier. Photo: Son Thuy

Born into a pottery family, at the age of 15, Nhat began kneading clay to create objects. When Hoi An City developed tourism , he opened a workshop at home and is now the youngest potter in the village. He has made many animals, but this is the first time he has made a dragon. "Dragons are in legends, but I have never seen them in reality, so it is very difficult to make. To choose a dragon model with a spirit, I searched for pictures online and printed them out," he said.

In December 2023, Mr. Nhat kneaded clay to create a 70 cm high, 55 cm diameter dragon mold with a 2 m long coiled dragon. The dragon and the dragon body were both hollowed out and had many holes, with the aim of not cracking or exploding when put into the kiln.

Compared to other mascots, dragons have many small details such as beards, legs, nails, and teeth, requiring the craftsman to be patient and meticulous. Mr. Nhat had to redo many details several times before he was satisfied. "After the mold is made, the statue dries quickly. While making a dragon statue takes many days, the dry soil cannot be used. I have to cover it to keep the soil moist," he said.

Mr. Nhat estimates it will take about 20 days to complete this pair of mascots.

Mr. Nhat meticulously crafts the dragon head. Photo: Son Thuy

Also participating in making dragon statues for Thanh Ha pottery village, Mr. Nguyen Van Hoang, 40 years old, made two dragons lying down, 90 cm long, with heads raised 55 cm high. To complete each product, he spent a week making the blank, two weeks molding, drawing details and firing.

The most difficult part is the dragon's head. This is considered the soul of the product, focusing on many details such as eyes, nose, beard, mouth, horns... "Just for the eyes, I spent more than two days. Each line and part needs to be sharp, creating the noble and powerful look of the dragon mascot," said Mr. Hoang.

Besides Nhat and Hoang, the remaining potters make two dragon statues. It is expected that on the 25th of the 12th lunar month, 6 dragon statues will be displayed in Thanh Ha village. This job only brings in a few hundred thousand dong a day, much lower than other jobs, but Nhat said he does not focus on money but wants to "breathe soul into pottery".

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoang is completing a lying dragon statue. Photo: Son Thuy

Thanh Ha Pottery Village Management Board said that 6 dragon statues will be displayed around the pottery village to welcome the new year. Visitors will be able to admire and take pictures with the zodiac animal of 2024.

Thanh Ha Pottery Village is located on the Thu Bon River, about 3 km west of Hoi An city center. This is a typical tourist destination in Hoi An, with more than 500 years of formation and development.

Son Thuy

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