Silver items made for Vietnam’s last
dynasty remind us of a bygone era. These priceless antiques provide a glimpse
into life in Vietnam’s last court and inspire modern artists and craft people
Of the thousands of artifacts stored
and displayed in museums in the formal royal capital of Hue, only around 100
items are made of silver while there aren’t many silver items remaining, those
that remain are one of a kind, and therefore, priceless. These old treasures
testify to the skill and artistry of Vietnam’s long ago silversmiths.
Since ancient times, silver has
been admired for various qualities, including malleability, moderate weight,
resistance to discoloration, and bright color. From early times, silver, along
with gold, was reserved for people of royal and noble lineage for private use
at court. Apart from being fashioned into silver ducats, the metal was also
used to craft religious items and tools for daily life.
It is said that the father of silversmithing
in Vietnam was Luu Xuan Tin from Chay Khe Village ( Bing Giang, Hai Duong) who
was once the minister of internal affairs under the reign of Emperor Le Thanh Tong.
In 1461, He was licensed by the
court to operate a silver ducat and coinage foundry for the State in Thang Long
capital 9 (now Hanoi). Luu Xuan Tin introduced silversmithing trade to Hanoi’s
Hang Bac Street which to this day is lined with silver shops. From this first
workshop, the trade flourished thanks to a series of talented silversmiths. In
the early 19th century, the Nguyen dynasty summoned the best artists
to Hue and set up the Precious Metals Department to craft indigenous items from
silver and gold by the order of the royal court. This was the era when silver
crafting reached its zenith in Vietnam, as demonstrated by the exquisite items
still found in Hue’ museums.
In term of types, silver items
from the Nguyen Dynasty are quire diverse. Religious items include urns, vases,
water pots, fruit bowls, altars, daggers and sacrificial swords. Daily wares
include face-washing bowl bottles tea trays, betel kits, chopsticks, pipes pen
holders and ink holders. Silver was also used to make ornaments and other
luxury items, such as silver tipped porcelain tea sets, silver-tipped smoking
pipes and buttons. Decorative patterns were also carved into silver and applied
to royal costumes.
Royal silver motifs vary greatly
and include images such as the four Divines, four seasons, four symbols, eights
treasures, two dragons attending the sun., two dragon competing for a pearl, precious
flowers and refined Han characters for Fortune, Longevity, Joy,…etc. Some royal
silverware also features geometrical patterns.
The most valuable silver items
are the Nguyen dynasty’s silver seals. Early in the reign of Gia Long, three
silver seals names Van Ly Mat Sat (stationary seal), Tri Lich Minh Thoi Chi Bao
(for sealing calendars as annual gifts) and Phong Tang Chi Bao (for sealing
ordinances) were crafted. One tip is decorated with a Kylan (an Asian unicorn)
and the two others with dragons tilting their heads. The seal of Crown Prince
Thu Tin (crafted in 1820) is also made of silver and features a dragon with a
curved body like a galloping horse. In 1830, Emperor Minh Mang ordered the
creation of the Truong Khanh seal for his Crown Price with the same dragon tip
and a similar shape. Other silver seals made for emperors include the seal of
Emperor Cung Hue ( 1893), fashioned at the behest of Emperor Thanh Thai for his
ill-fated father Duc Duc. Silver seals for empress dowagers include the seal of
Dien Tho Palace and the seal of Truong Sanh Palace (1916) wih Ky Lan Tips.
The most impressive seal is the
nation’s mother seal that Lord Nguyen Phuc Anh had made for his mother before
he took the throne in 1902. This gold plated silver seal has an elaborately
carved golden turtle tip. Silver seals from the Nguyen dynasty were all
exquisitely made and even rival gold seals in terms of their beauty and
artistic value.
A collection of 85 seals of which
a dozen are made of silver, is housed at the national historical museum. It is
our good fortune to preserve some priceless treasures from the past, despite
our turbulent history.
The exquisite silver items
fashioned during Vietnam’s Nguyen Dynasty remind us of our nation’s fascinating
history and are a testament to the artistry and skill of Vietnam’s artisans
during this golden age of craftsmanship.
This article is written by Ha
Nguyen from Vietnam Heritage Travel Company for original article and more
recommendation, please visit
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