Vietnamese ceramic artist sets two Guinness World Records

The sculpture of the toad sets a world record as the largest ceramic sculpture of a mythical creature. — Photo courtesy of Guinness World Records

HÀ NỘI Two Vietnamese ceramic works will be recognised as having set Guinness World Records at a ceremony in Hà Nội tomorrow (June 30).

The ceramic works, created by Vietnamese artisan Nguyễn Hùng and Hương Việt Ceramic Company, include a sculpture of a toad and a carved and embossed ceramic plate. They have been recognised as the largest ceramic sculpture of a mythical creature and the largest carved ceramic plates, respectively.

The sculpture of the toad, measuring 173.5cm in length, 110cm in width and 77.8cm in height, was made of clay and a unique enamel.

The mythical creature depicted is known as the holy three-legged toad or feng shui toad in Asia and is a symbol of prosperity. Sitting atop a pile of coins and gold bullion, the toad features the yin and yang symbol on its head, a coin in its mouth, and the Great Bear constellation on its back. 

Weighing 1,500kg, the toad sculpture was made by the artisan in 2018 after six and a half months of work.

The world’s largest carved ceramic plate measures 137cm and weighs 400kg. — Photo courtesy of Guinness World Records

The world’s largest carved ceramic plate measures 137cm and weighs 400kg. It is made of clay and special enamel that was specially created by the artisan from lotus stalk’s ashes and Hồng (Red) river sediment.

The plate has been embossed and carved with a complex design of cedrus trees, a pair of peacocks, and Feng Shui elements of mountains and the sun with the meaning of eternal wealth, nobility, and happiness. It was crafted in 2018 and it took roughly 2,500 hours.

Artist Nguyễn Hùng has pursued ceramics for the past 40 years. — Photo courtesy of the artisan

Artisan Nguyễn Hùng, whose real name is Nguyễn Văn Hùng, was born in 1971 in the northern coastal city of Hải Phòng. He has pursued the ceramic craft for the past 40 years and has improved many techniques for the craft such as sculpture, embossing, relief and negative engraving on ceramic.

Established in 1955, Guinness World Records is the first and oldest world record organisation. The first Vietnamese ceramic artwork recognised by the prestigious record organisation is Hà Nội’s ceramic mosaic mural. It received a Certificate for the largest Ceramic mosaic by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2010. VNS