Researcher Tran Dinh Son introduces the thematic exhibition ‘Precious Metal Artifacts under the Nguyen Dynasty - From the Royal Court to Folk Life’

The exhibition is being held at the Nguyen Dynasty Commissioned Porcelain Museum at 114 Mai Thuc Loan St. (Phu Xuan Ward). It is jointly organized by the Nguyen Dynasty Commissioned Porcelain Museum (Phuoc Trang) and collector Le Gia from Ho Chi Minh City.

The artifacts on display are diverse, including gold or gold-plated silver Kim khanh, silver medals, and items associated with the Nguyen Dynasty court’s practice of granting rewards, as well as ritual objects, items used in the royal court and everyday life, stationery, jewelry, and clothing accessories.

Notably, the exhibition features a silverwork collection from Sa Dec dating back to the early decades of the 20th century. The collection reflects the development of the jewelry-making craft in southern Vietnam and was showcased at numerous domestic and international exhibitions, earning praise from the royal court and the public of the time.

The collector Le Gia (in the blue ao-dai) shares insights into the artifacts in the collection 

Le Gia said that during the Nguyen Dynasty, gold, silver, and other precious metals not only were valued for their material worth, but also played an important role when they were used in court rituals, royal rewards, and the lives of both nobility and ordinary people.

Featuring artifacts made from diverse forms and techniques, the exhibition highlights the presence of precious metals across Nguyen Dynasty society, from the royal court and the nobility to everyday folk life.

Also in the exhibition, the diversity of jewelry-making craft is introduced, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding about the historical, cultural, and aesthetic values embodied in each artifact.

A representative of the Nguyen Dynasty Commissioned Porcelain Museum stated that the thematic exhibition aims to take visitors on a journey from the royal court to the lives of the nobility and ordinary people, offering a closer look at how gold, silver, and other precious metals were used throughout Nguyen Dynasty society.

The exhibition takes place until December, 2026.

By Lien Minh