24k gold-plated dragon sculpture for Lunar New Year decoration
24-karat gold plated dragons are hitting local markets ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year of the Dragon, with the items selling for between several million and tens of millions of VND.
The zodiac for the next lunar year will be the dragon, meaning that the 24 karat gold-plated dragon figurine has been widely introduced in the market as it represents a meaningful gift during the Lunar New Year, known locally as Tet.
The weeks leading up to traditional Tet festival prove to be the busiest time of the year for sculptor and painter Vu Dung in Hanoi.
Most of his works are inspired by images of dragon from the days of the Ly Dynasty.
Products are varied in designs to serve the wide-ranging needs of customers’ for Tet.
Each of the finished works must undergo various stages of production, such as painting, honing, gilding, and polishing.
The stage of the gold-plating process can only be performed by the most highly-skilled artisans.
Creating the pieces requires delicate work by artisans.
A gold-plated dragon figurine costs from VND3 million to VND20 million.
Displaying a symbol of the zodiac during the new year period is believed to bring luck and happiness to the owner.