APPRECIATING HISTORY: Visitors view ancient jade artefacts at the 'Dáng Ngọc' (The Beauty of Ancient Jade) exhibition at the Museum of Vietnamese History in HCM City. Photo courtesy of the museum

HCM CITY — The Museum of Vietnamese History in HCM City is introducing its unique and precious collection of jade artefacts dating back from the 18th to 20th century to the public for the first time to celebrate its 43rd anniversary.

The exhibition entitled “Dáng Ngọc” (The Beauty of Ancient Jade) displays more than 200 artefacts reflecting the cultures of Việt Nam, Thailand, Japan, Laos, and China.

All of them are selected from the collection of French pharmacist Victor Thomas Holbé (1857-1927) and the Dương Hà collection possessed by Dr Dương Quỳnh Hoa.

The exhibition showcases jewellery and items used for worship rites and decorations.

The showcase includes ceremonial items such as a tripod cauldron and jade gui (a round-mouthed food vessel with or without cover and ears) engraved with dragons and patterns reflecting Hongshan culture to the Qing dynasty of China.

Decorative items such as statues of fairies, ruyi sticks, vases, bowls, and pen holders are on display as well.

Meanwhile, the jewellery includes rings, jade pendants and belt hooks.

ANCIENT BLING: The exhibition showcases jewellery, and items used for worship rites and decorations reflecting the cultures of Việt Nam, China, Japan, Thailand, and Laos. Photo courtesy of the museum

According to Hoàng Anh Tuấn, the museum’s director, the exhibition aims to honour Holbé’s collection, consisting of 2,160 artefacts in different materials originating from Việt Nam, China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Japan.

His collection played the most important role in the establishment of the museum.

In 1929, the Musée Blanchard de la Brosse was established to keep and introduce his collection to the public.

In 1979, the museum was renamed the Museum of Vietnamese History in HCM City.

It contains more than 43,000 documents and objects featuring the history, culture and development of Việt Nam and the world.

The museum now keeps 12 national treasures such as Đồng Dương Statue of Buddha, Statue of Devi Goddess, and Statue of Avalokitesvara (a Bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas).

In 2021, the museum hosted its first virtual exhibition to introduce a part of Holbé’s collection at its website http://www.baotanglichsutphcm.com.vn/ and YouTube channel.

The “Dáng Ngọc” exhibition will be run until November 30. The museum is located at 2 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm Street in District 1. — VNS