Ancient objects that are priceless in Quang Ninh

When travelers arrive in Quang Ninh, a tourist hotspot in Northern Vietnam, they can observe not only places of scenic beauty but also priceless national treasures. There are eight ancient artifacts that are carefully preserved in this province.

Ngoa Van – Yen Tu golden box (officially recognized as a national treasure in 2018)

Có 'núi tiền' cũng không mua được đồ vật cũ kỹ này ở Quảng Ninh

A lotus-flower-shaped golden box, discovered in Dong Trieu, is a Buddhist relic. The Ngoa Van – Yen Tu golden box is the only precious golden relic related to the Tran Dynasty that has been found.

On May 21 2012, the golden box was discovered on the pilgrimage’s route to Ngoa Van Temple. It is in the shape of the blooming lotus flower. Each petal is decorated with lemon flowers. The box has three parts: base, body, and lid.

The golden box is forty-two millimeters high, with the height of the base is six millimeters and the height of the body is 28.4 millimeters. The diameter of the box is forty-nine millimeters, while the base’s diameter is thirty-five millimeters.

Quang Chinh bronze drum (officially recognized as a national treasure in 2019)

Quang Chinh drum is not only a musical instrument but also a symbol of power, religion. It has been used in religious rituals, festivals, and wars.

A 16-pointed star pattern in the middle of the bronze drum is a unique motif of Dong Son Culture.

The bronze drum was found at Quang Le Cooperative Society (Quang Chinh Commune, Quang Ha District – currently is Hai Ha District) by Mr. Dinh Khac Lan when he was digging up his mother’s grave to disinter for reburial.

In 1983, People’s Committee of Quang Ha District was assigned to preserve Quang Chinh bronze drum. Since December 7th, 1984, the Department of Culture and Information of Quang Ninh has taken responsibility for preserving the precious drum. It is currently being displayed in Quang Ninh Museum.

Quang Chinh bronze drum is the original, unique artifact as it has some special physical features that are different from Dong Son bronze drums.

Tran Dynasty’s bronze jar (officially recognized as a national treasure in 2019)

Patterns of dragons, lemon flowers, Vietnamese traditional activities, and lotus petals engraved on Tran Dynasty’s bronze jar.

The embossed floral pattern on the straps has a practical purpose (to strengthen the attachment to the body). It also increases the aesthetic appeal of the straps.

This bronze jar is one of a few bronze artifacts despite the invasion of Ming Dynasty. It is in the project of the Department of Culture and Sports of Quang Ninh in 2018 that aimed to collect and display ancient artifacts.

Tran Dynasty’s bronze jar is 37 centimeters high. The diameter of its rim is about 43 centimeters, while the body diameter is 45 centimeters and the base’s diameter is 37.5 centimeters. The distance from the rim to the straps is 11.6 centimeters.

This work of art is the original, exclusive artifact. It has been used in rituals since 14th century.

Multi-coloured glazed pottery dish (officially recognized as a national treasure in 2019)

Multi-colored pottery dish is an authentic, exclusive artifact.

Different line patterns drawn in blue, red-brown, and golden luster.

This colored dish is in the project of the Department of Culture and Sports of Quang Ninh in 2018 that aimed to collect and display ancient artifacts. Its overall height is 27.2 centimeters. The diameter of its rim is 41.5 centimeters. The height of its base is 18.6 centimeters, while the base’s diameter is 19 centimeters. The pottery dish was made of kaolin clay.

This artwork is currently preserved in Quang Ninh Museum. It was used in rituals between 15th and 16th century. It is living proof of how advanced the ceramic techniques were in Later Le Dynasty.

Dau Ram pottery jar (officially recognized as a national treasure in 2018)

The main pattern on the jar is the letter S in the upside down position that shows how good the potter in Dau Ram was.

The missing pipe created a hole that is three centimeters in diameter.

This pottery jar (weight:1000 gram) is the original, exclusive artifact with aesthetic value. It has rich decorative patterns that reflect the spiritual sense of the nature and human beings. It is visible that Dau Ram pottery jar has three parts: rim, body, and base. This artwork represents an important period in the history of Vietnamese art pottery.

Another three ancient artifacts are being displayed in Quang Ninh Museum. Kinnari white-brown pottery jar, white-brown pottery egg pot, and lotus-flower-shaped pottery jar. All of them have been recognized as national treasures since 2020.

On December 25 Mr. Vu Duc Dam, the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, signed a decision number 2198 to officially recognize twenty-three artifacts as national treasures, including white-brown pottery egg pot, Tran Dynasty’s bronze jar, Dong Son bronze egg pot, multi-coloured glazed pottery dish.