The stamp set National Treasures: Ceramics is the third in the series of stamps themed on Vietnamese national treasures. Photo courtesy of Vietnam Post.
HÀ NỘI A stamp series that introduces Vietnamese ceramic national treasures has been released by the Ministry of Information and Communications and Vietnam Post.
The stamp series, entitled Bảo Vật Quốc Gia (bộ 3): Đồ Gốm (National Treasures: Ceramics) features four ceramic artefacts - the Đầu Rằm Ceramic Vase, the Long Thạnh terracotta vase collection, the Nhơn Thành Ceramic Vase and a brown floral ceramic jar. The stamps were designed by artist Nguyễn Du from Vietnam Post in a 37x37mm format.
The first stamp showcases the Đầu Rằm ceramic vase, an artefact determined belongs to the late period of the Phùng Nguyên culture, dating back over 3,000 years.
Discovered in 1998 at the Đầu Rằm archaeological site in Hoàng Tân Commune, Quảng Yên Town in the northern province of Quảng Ninh, it is a one-of-a-kind original from the early Bronze Age, with a unique shape resembling a bamboo basket. It was made from clay and fired at a temperature of around 700-800°C.
The artefact is currently preserved at the Quảng Ninh Provincial Museum and was recognised as a national treasure in December 2018.
The second stamp features the terracotta vase collection from Long Thạnh. The collection consists of 18 vases that have exceptional artistic and decorative value, reflecting the skilled craftsmanship of the Sa Huỳnh and Long Thạnh people in the central province of Quảng Ngãi, as well as the development of the ceramic pottery tradition in the area.
The collection of Long Thạnh terracotta vases is currently preserved at the Quảng Ngãi General Museum and was recognised as a national treasure in December 2018.
The third design depicts the Nhơn Thành ceramic vase that was discovered at the Nhơn Thành archaeological site in an intact condition. The artifact reflects the ceramic craftsmanship and the unique aesthetic sensibilities of the Óc Eo culture in the Mekong Delta region. It also demonstrates the cultural and religious exchanges between the indigenous Óc Eo people and India during the first millennium CE that resulted in the creation of distinctive and exceptional ceramic products.
This artifact, preserved at the Cần Thơ Museum, was recognised as a national treasure in December 2018.
The fourth stamp is inspired by the brown floral ceramic jar, a distinctive and typical object discovered at the Trần Dynasty Temple historical site. This is an important national historical site with many cultural and historical imprints from the 13th-14th centuries. It is the homeland and the second capital of the Trần Dynasty, the most prosperous and glorious feudal dynasty in the nation's history.
The jar, recognised as a national treasure in December 2016, is now housed at the National Museum of History.
National treasures are artefacts that represent great historical, cultural and artistic value for the nation. Each national treasure is a precious heritage that contains the messages of the past, the quintessence of Việt Nam’s rich, diverse and distinctive culture, reflecting the long-standing cultural history and the tradition of nation-building and defence of the Vietnamese people.
National treasures are evaluated and recommended for recognition by the National Cultural Heritage Council and then officially recognised by the Prime Minister. They are preserved under a special condition in order to be safeguarded and passed down to future generations.
Artist Nguyễn Du said that the images of these treasures were provided and authorised by the Quảng Ninh Museum, Cần Thơ Museum, Quảng Ngãi General Museum and the National Museum of History to be used to design the stamps. The new stamp collection will be available from until June 30, 2026.
Previously, the Ministry of Information and Communications had issued two stamp sets themed on national treasures.
The first was the stamp set National Treasures (Set 1): Copper Items, introducing the Bronze Belt Buckle Set, Hợp Minh Bronze Jar, Núi Nưa Short Sword and the Kneeling Figure Lamp.
The stamp set National Treasures (Set 2): Gold Items also featured national treasures – the Sắc Mệnh Chi Bảo Seal (1827), the Đại Việt National Nguyễn Lords Seal (1709), the Ngọa Vân-Yên Tử Gold Box (dating from the 14th century) and the Nhạn Tower Reliquary Box (from 7th-8th century). VNS
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