Cut the ribbon to open the exhibition on the Nguyen Dynasty workshop
The workshop was the manual production unit of the state during the monarchy, providing daily life supplies for the royal family, serving the imperial economic and defence activities. During the Nguyen Dynasty, through selection, recruitment and hiring, skilled folk craftsmen from all over the country were summoned by the imperial court to the capital and assigned into groups of the same craft called tuong cuc – the smallest unit of the workshop.
Inheriting experiences from the time of Nguyen lords, Emperor Gia Long (1802 - 1820) built a system of diverse workshops. Through the times of Emperor Minh Mang, Thieu Tri and Tu Duc, the workshop was increasingly developed and expanded. Since 1885, due to socio-political impacts, the number of workshops narrowed, just enough to meet the imperial needs in some areas with a very limited production scale.
A version of Chau ban (record catalogue) of the construction of a motorboat and the image of a Nguyen Dynasty team of workers sawing wood
However, professional skills and know-how continue to be transferred by the craftsmen to apprentices from the common public. This was also one of the factors that helped traditional handicraft continued to be developed, contributing to diversifying industries and products in the traditional craft villages in Hue and other localities in the country.
46 versions of documents selected from the Nguyen Dynasty Record Catalogues - World Documentary Heritage, are 46 precious pieces in the story of the activities of units belonging to the Nguyen Dynasty workshop system, in five professions: money casting, weapons manufacturing, ship building and repair, production of construction materials and imperial products manufacturing.
Introducing to delegates and visitors about the meaning of the Nguyen Dynasty workshop
Along with this exhibition, during the period from April 25 to May 28, 2019, Hue Monuments Conservation Center also organized a space to introduce "Nguyen Dynasty Workshop and the quintessence of Vietnamese craft" at Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities.
Visiting this space, visitors not only have the chance to admire the royal objects created by the ancient craftsmen's talented hands, but can also access authentic historical sources of the workshop system's activities during the Nguyen Dynasty - an important part of Hue's cultural heritage.
Introducing the record catalogues and the imperial workshop
Story, photos and video clip: Dong Van