The artisans of this countryside, the “pioneer” is Mr. Nguyen Dang Vong – “Dau ceramics” restored the pottery line, after many centuries thought it had been lost.
Historians and artists
Now many valuable architectural works in the South and in the North all want to recruit “Vong Ceramic Dau” so that he can attach decorative products and breathe life into the work. After the trips, “Vong ceramics Strawberry” went back to hide somewhere, calm down to compose. One day at the end of autumn, the ancient land of the Strawberry region was as golden as honey, and Chairman of Thuan Thanh District People’s Committee Le Dinh Thanh pulled “Dau pottery” to leave the workshop to meet customers. The district chairman is knowledgeable about the culture of the Dau region, and has been closely associated with artisans since childhood.
Artisan Nguyen Dang Vong was born and raised in Ha Man commune, Thuan Thanh district. He said: Actually, when I was a child, I did not have any inclination at all. Until 1971, when Professor of History Tran Quoc Vuong and an archaeological team returned to Ha Man’s hometown to excavate and find artifacts of Luy Lau ancient citadel, I and the children excitedly went out to see. The professor talked to people in the Dau region about the history and beauty of Luy Lau pottery. I sounded like I was fascinated, and then raised in me the desire to restore the ceramic line of my hometown.
In 1980, Nguyen Dang Vong graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Ha Bac School of Culture and Arts. His passion for pottery was infiltrated in his blood, making him travel everywhere to learn about Luy Lau pottery – Dau region. He wanders around in museums to learn about ancient ceramic products. Sometimes, alone, Nguyen Dang Vong wrapped a towel to the famous pottery villages of the country such as Bat Trang, Phu Lang, Chu Dau, and then went to Tho Ha (Vinh Phuc) … to see pottery, learn to make pottery. Years of studying at the school have told him to listen and connect with historians and archaeologists in the country to learn about the history and unique features of Luy Lau pottery. It was his fate that he was kindly instructed by Professor Tran Quoc Vuong and historian Duong Trung Quoc.
In a meeting with historian Duong Trung Quoc, we recounted the story of Luy Lau pottery, he said: Luy Lau pottery line was born more than two thousand years ago. This is one of the oldest pottery lines in Vietnam, with many unique products, showing a high level of development in the art of shaping and burning. By the 17th century, Luy Lau pottery was lost. Historian Duong Trung Quoc recalls: Master Tran Quoc Vuong was very attached to the study of the ancient land of Luy Lau during his lifetime. He said that: Red pottery products in the Dau – Luy Lau region are considered exemplary products that meet the specific technical-artistic standards of the Southern pottery line that scientists have long named. is Song Hong pottery. So, in fact, Song Hong pottery is the Luy Lau red ceramic line.
There used to be scientific seminars taking place inside and outside Bac Ninh province to find solutions to restore and develop the Luy Lau ceramic line. With ancient ceramic products found in excavations in Nguyet Duc, Thanh Khuong, Ha Man communes… Thuan Thanh district, archaeologists and historical researchers noticed the outstanding features of colored enamel. olive green in the Luy Lau pottery line. However, after many historical events, including the end of the Northern colonial period, the Luy Lau pottery line seems to have moved through the Luoc, Duong, and Thai Binh rivers to appear ceramic centers in Hai Duong and Hai Duong. Peaceful. Through scientific conclusions, local leaders and artisans come to a common voice and aspiration: It is necessary to create typical products for the brand “Red pottery in Dau – Luy Lau region”.
After seminars and projects with solutions to restore and develop the ancient Luy Lau pottery line, many people affirmed that Luy Lau pottery will develop well in the integration period. Nguyen Dang Vong campaigned for the establishment of ceramic cooperatives (cooperatives) to gather and train like-minded artisans. Up to now, Luy Lau Ceramic Cooperative has more than 1,000 designs and manufactures ceramic products. In recent years, from Luy Lau ceramic products displayed at exhibitions, trade fairs, researchers, and antique pottery enthusiasts have noticed: Today’s Luy Lau pottery has made great strides. both in terms of design and quality. Besides products for daily life, artisans have skillfully used the modern language of visual arts to seamlessly connect with traditional materials, lines, and colors to create artistic products and traditional designs. ceramic products reflect cultural content,
Dance of fire and earth
For many years, many pottery enthusiasts from all over the country have returned to the ancient land of the Dau – Thuan Thanh region to find the “Dau ceramic pot”. Many of them have been “exposed” to his unique collection of thousand-year-old red ceramics from the Dau (Luy Lau) region, along with new works, which are also very unique and almost original, by himself. crafting artist.
A unique example is the work that won the record “The largest jade vase in Vietnam” at the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi with a height of 4.2 m, a diameter of 2.1 m, and a weight of 2. ,2 tons. The jade vase consists of five parts: lid, mouth, neck, body, and base that combine harmoniously with each other. The land to make the jade vase was obtained by artisans from 63 provinces and cities across the country, combined with Ha Man land and Luy Lau ceramic land in Kinh Bac region. The patterns on the jade vase summarize the nation’s history of building and defending the country with the glorious feats of its forefathers. In particular, jade vase is embossed with reliefs of 1,000 historical cultural figures. On the shoulder of the jade vase is the image of a pair of dragons in the Ly dynasty reaching out, demonstrating the strength and position of Thang Long – Hanoi, along with the image of King Ly Cong Uan with the Relocation of the capital and the heroic victory of Nhu Nguyet on the Cau River defense. . The work also shows especially vivid scenes of typical activities and festivals along with the famous landscapes of Dau Pagoda, But Thap Pagoda, Do Temple, etc., famous in Kinh Bac region. Artisan Nguyen Dang Vong said that the idea of making his jade vase came from a historical document: When Ly Cong Uan moved the capital to Thang Long, the potters of Luy Lau citadel were also gathered in the ancient land. Artisan’s favorite: The culture of Thang Long has the imprint of Luy Lau culture, the indigenous culture of the ancient Vietnamese people.
Living with pottery, but Nguyen Dang Vong did not go into mass production of household ceramics, but focused on creating fine art ceramics, singles with creative and impromptu decorative arts. Each of his works is unique without repetition, simple but elegant. Remember, in November 2006, when participating in an exhibition organized by the Vietnam Revolution Museum to welcome foreign guests to the 14th APEC Conference held in Hanoi, the exhibition booth of ” Strawberry pottery” was visited and appreciated by many heads of state. Right at the exhibition, an American visitor bought some of his ceramic products to bring home. After that, an American businessman came to order a large quantity of goods. Recently, Luy Lau Pottery Cooperative has made a strong impression in the Vietnamese pottery village when it signed a contract to produce 2,500 Buddha statues. All 2.
It is known that Nguyen Dang Vong has experienced many ups and downs with his profession to decipher the esoteric of the ancestors crystallized in the ancient Luy Lau pottery. From the mud of the Dau River, the coal ashes burned from the trunk of the mulberry tree growing on the alluvial soil of his hometown, adding a little gravel from the forest, sea shells and scallop shells, he revived the color of Luy Lau ceramic glaze. Traditionally, it is warm and clear olive green, strong dark red… The lyrical and lively picture of Kinh Bac land is molded and blows by artisans, then sublimes in the dance of the land. and fire, creating a product line with classic nuances of Luy Lau ancient pottery and modern in shaping style.
In 2012, another milestone was added: Thuan Thanh Vocational School of Economics – Technology and Traditional Crafts with the support and direction of the General Department of Vocational Training (Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Society) has implemented a training project to restore the red pottery village in the Dau region. Principal Nguyen Van Che persuaded artisan Nguyen Dang Vong to be both an advisor and directly involved in training crafters and producers. The startup project creates a foundation for hundreds of potter households here to follow their profession, energizing the red pottery line in the Dau – Luy Lau region.
In the integration trend, the “Luy Lau ceramic” brand has supplemented the Kinh Bac rural tourism market and exported a unique and valuable product line.
Source: Collected internet.