Admiring unique books of gold in Hanoi

VietNamNet Bridge - Gold books and other royal gold objects of the Nguyen Dynasty are on display at the Vietnam National Museum of History in Hanoi from now until August.

VietNamNet Bridge - Gold books and other royal gold objects of the Nguyen Dynasty are on display at the Vietnam National Museum of History in Hanoi from now until August.

The museum has on show 22 out of its collection of 94 gold books of the 13 Nguyen Kings, along with a dozen royal objects.

The books, made of such precious metals as gold or silver, were used to record significant royal events and rituals, such as coronation and enthronement, among others. They were compiled by the kings or high-level courtiers themselves.

According to experts, the dynasty’s first gold book, measuring 24.5 cm and 13.5 cm, was made at the order of King Gia Long for his father in 1806.

It consists of two thick cover pages and four thinner inside pages, which were subtly decorated with dragon-in-cloud patterns and weighed a total of 1.4 kg.

Pictures taken at the exhibition:

Sach lam bang vang 'doc nhat vo nhi' tai Ha Noi hinh anh 1

Sach lam bang vang 'doc nhat vo nhi' tai Ha Noi hinh anh 2

Sach lam bang vang 'doc nhat vo nhi' tai Ha Noi hinh anh 3

The gilded silver book, made in 1934 under the reign of Emperor Bao Dai. Bao Dai bestowed by Empress Nam Phuong. She was the last Empress of the Nguyen Dynasty and the last Queen of the Vietnamese monarchy.

Sach lam bang vang 'doc nhat vo nhi' tai Ha Noi hinh anh 4

The gold book, made in 1802 under the reign of Gia Long. Emperor Gia Long, praised the merit and bestowed his mother as the mother queen. The book consists of six sheets.

Sach lam bang vang 'doc nhat vo nhi' tai Ha Noi hinh anh 5

The gold book made in 1882 under the reign of Emperor Minh Menh. Emperor Minh Men proclaimed his mother as the queen mother. The book has five sheets.