Nghe An: Digging a grave, discovering an ancient artifact
(Baonghean.vn) - Among the excavated artifacts is a 22 cm diameter bowl, dated Thanh Hoa Nien Che of the Ming Dynasty - China, painted with Pine - Bamboo - Plum.
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| The artifact when it was first excavated. Photo: Ngoc Phuong |
On the morning of June 2, 2019, people in Hamlet 4, Tan Son Commune (Do Luong District, Nghe An) went to dig a grave for Ms. Nguyen Thi Noi at Con Dung Cemetery in Hamlet 2, Tan Son Commune and discovered a corner of a bronze pot that had been buried for a long time. It was unclear what was inside the bronze pot.
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| The bowl is painted with the image of three friends: pine - bamboo - apricot, symbolizing three friends in the royal garden of ancient kings. Photo: Ngoc Phuong |
When discovered, Mr. Dao Cong Tam, Mrs. Noi's son, directed everyone to expand the length of the grave, but the place where the bronze pot was discovered was not dug further and kept intact.
Upon receiving the report, the Commune Police Department arranged and assigned forces to guard 24/7 on June 2 and 3, 2019. At the same time, it advised the Party Committee and the Commune People's Committee to promptly report to the competent authority for advice on handling the incident.
On June 4, with the consent of Mrs. Noi's family, the Commune People's Committee coordinated with the District Police and the Department of Culture and Information to excavate the location where the artifacts were suspected to be buried. The artifacts dug up included 3 ancient bronze pots and 2 ancient bowls.
The largest bronze pot from the Nguyen Dynasty is 40 cm in diameter and 20 cm high; the second is 29 cm wide and 15 cm high; the third is 19 cm wide and 7 cm high (this one is still intact).
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| The inscription on the bowl reads: Great Ming Cheng Hua |
As for the two ancient bowls, one is 22 cm wide and 9.5 cm high. This bowl has pine, bamboo and apricot paintings. The rim has beautiful detailed borders. The bowl's inscription reads: Dai Minh Thanh Hoa. According to cultural officials and elders: the bowl was produced during the reign of Emperor Minh Hien Tong - China, who ruled for 23 years, from 1464 - 1487.
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| The artifact after being cleaned of surrounding dirt. Photo: Ngoc Phuong |
The second bowl is 28cm wide and 9cm high. This is a white glazed bowl (white enamel without patterns) also from the Ming Dynasty - China. Unfortunately, both bowls are partially broken.
Currently, these antiques are being kept by the People's Committee of Tan Son commune.
