Unique national treasure - Dong Son cultural bronze jar

National treasure - Dong Son cultural bronze jar at Nam Hong Royal Museum.

The Dong Son culture bronze jar at the Nam Hong Royal Museum is a typical product of the Dong Son culture, distributed mainly in the midland mountains and plains of major rivers in Northern Vietnam. The body of the jar is basically intact, with sharp, clear decorative patterns. The entire jar is covered with a bluish-green, yellowish-copper rust paint.

Based on the shape, manufacturing techniques, and especially the characteristic decorative patterns, this bronze jar belonged to the Dong Son cultural period, dating from 2200–2300 years ago (3rd–2nd centuries BC).

Mr. Nguyen The Hong, Chairman of Kinh Bac Antiquities Collection and Research Association and owner of Nam Hong Royal Museum said that one of the unique features of Dong Son cultural bronze jars is the animal patterns on the bands. Among these, in the 21st band, there are 14 animals (like weasels or foxes) decorated with 11 straight tails and 3 curved tails, each with a length of 8–8.5 cm. This is also the main pattern tape, the center of the bronze jar.

This herd of 14 animals follows each other, running counterclockwise. The animal has a long mouth, a long and curved body, a large tail, four legs with clear claws, and a long mane (crest) behind the head.

This is the only Dong Son bronze jar currently known in Vietnam decorated with this pattern.

According to researchers' statistics, more than 235 bronze jars have been discovered in our country. The Dong Son culture bronze jar of the Nam Hong Royal Museum is one of the most intact jars discovered to date. This is a perfectly beautiful work, with sharp, unique patterns on the jar and a balanced and harmonious layout typical of Dong Son culture.