HCMC museum exhibits ancient jade collection for the first time

“Dang Ngoc” (The Beauty of Ancient Jade), an exhibition showcasing over 200 ancient jade objects, is being held at the HCMC Museum of History from now until November 30. It is being organized to mark the museum’s 43th anniversary. Featuring jade from numerous Asian countries including Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Laos and especially China, the exhibition comprises two collections of antiques. One collection initially belonged to Victor Thomas Holbé (1857 -1927), a colonial official and well-known antique researcher and collector. Holbé’s collection once served as the mainstay of Blanchard de la Brosse Museum, the forerunner to today’s HCMC Museum of History. The other collection is from the family of doctor Duong Quynh Hoa, who served as Minister of Health under the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam in 1969.

A jade stick on display. In ancient Chinese and Vietnamese cultures, jade sticks symbolized power and status. According to Hoang Anh Tuan, Director of the HCMC Museum of History, in Eastern culture, jade symbolizes wealth and power; and ancient jade objects are treasured because of their association with immortality, mystery and benediction. Jade sticks symbolize power and status. In feudal times, jade sticks were owned by kings and aristocrats and thought to bring money and luck to their owners. In Vietnam, during the Nguyen Dynasty, jade sticks were considered inseparable companions of crown princes. Jade sticks often have a curvy shape and diverse flower or animal patterns such as orchids to symbolize integrity and nobility, and stags and cranes to indicate happiness and longevity.

Jade belt clips, a symbol of wealth, originated in ancient China and were in vogue from around 770 to 476 BCE. Tuan said that with the ongoing exhibition, which was held online last year, the museum hopes to help people understand more about ancient art and techniques of making jade items, and learn to value this cultural heritage. The exhibition, which opened Tuesday and will last until November 30, showcases six categories of objects: ceremonial grain holders; altar items; classic office quadruples (brushes, ink, brush or ink holders, and paper); screens; objects of power (jade sticks and archers’ rings), and others (miscellaneous items including seals and bracelets).

Associated with ancient Chinese archers, archers’ rings later became an emblem of the ruling class. In ancient China, archers’ rings were used to be worn on the thumb of the hand that pulled the string. Besides protecting this finger, an archer’s ring was also thought to help the archer aim precisely, even when he was riding on horseback at a face pace. In ancient China, archers’ rings were used to be worn on the thumb of the hand that pulled the string. Toward the end of the 18^th century, under the Qing Dynasty, archery went out of vogue and archers’ rings gradually became objects of adornment and an emblem of powerful people.

A ceremonial grain holder with the two handles sporting dragon engravings. For their part, the ceremonial grain holders on display also showcase diverse and intricate dragon postures and other patterns that signify different cultural periods in Chinese history.

An ancient screen that was used for both feng shui and interior design purposes. The screens, designed to block out wind and sunlight, were made of different materials such as jade, porcelain enamel, brick or wood. They also met feng shui needs. Jade screens were often engraved with characters from ancient Chinese stories, Han calligraphy or Buddhist prayers, then polished to show off the veins, or natural lines embedded in the jade.

Classic brush holders which were often engraved with images of dragons or herbs.

Jade bracelets.

Jade fairy statuettes reflect high level of sculptural techniques.

Hoang Anh Tuan (in blue), Director of HCMC Museum of History, introduces the exhibits to guests.