All three main statues feature a square hole in their backs. According to the owner of these artifacts, this square hole was intentionally created. Individuals performing spiritual rituals would place sacred items, such as scriptures, inside the hole to imbue the statues with spiritual essence, transforming them from ceramic artworks into revered objects for worship.

On 6/3, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports announced the recognition of two new national treasures: the Hoa Loc ceramic stemmed bowl and the set of multi-colored glazed ceramic statues of the Tam Quan Dai De (Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water), housed at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum. This recognition follows the Prime Minister's decision on 3/2 to acknowledge an additional 30 national treasures nationwide.

With these additions, Ho Chi Minh City now boasts 25 national treasures. These artifacts are preserved across various institutions, including the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, Ho Chi Minh City History Museum, Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, Binh Duong Museum, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Museum, Museum of Ceramics from the Nation's Founding, and the private collection of Le Thanh Nghia.

The set of Tam Quan Dai De statues, owned by private collector Le Thanh Nghia, comprises nine figures. These are divided into three groups, each featuring one of the Three Officials (Thien Quan, Dia Quan, and Thuy Quan) accompanied by their attendants. Dating from the mid-19th to early 20th century, the statues are crafted from malleable clay.

The three main statues and their attendants are covered with traditional yellow and multi-colored glazes. This collection was produced at the Buu Nguyen kiln, a prominent center for Cay Mai fine art ceramics in the ancient Saigon - Cho Lon region. The set remains largely intact, having been acquired by Mr. Nghia in 2023.

From a technical perspective, the statues represent the pinnacle of Saigon ceramic art, from raw materials to firing techniques. They serve as a testament to the cultural exchange between Vietnamese and Chinese traditions in the Saigon - Cho Lon area, reflecting the spiritual life and artistic expression of the Southern community. Details such as hats, faces, hands, and dragon robes were created using molds before being attached to the main bodies.

The Thien Quan (Heaven Official) group symbolizes blessings and good fortune. The Thien Quan Dai De statue is the largest, standing 90 cm tall and 38 cm wide, seated majestically on a substantial pedestal. He wears a round official's hat, with a benevolent face, a slight smile, open eyes, and large ears. The statue is adorned with a carved dragon robe, featuring two dragons on the shoulders and a frontal dragon face, along with cloud patterns in relief. Below the robe, there are patterns of thuy ba (water waves), and the figure wears a belt and boots.

Flanking the Thien Quan are two standing attendants. They wear long robes decorated with phoenix and thuy ba patterns, along with opposing clouds. One attendant wears an ivory-white robe with leaf-green shoulders, holding a writing brush. The other attendant wears a leaf-green robe, holding a scroll. Both attendant statues are uniformly 69 cm tall.

The Dia Quan (Earth Official) group projects the solemnity of a judging official. The Dia Quan Dai De statue is 77,5 cm tall and 38 cm wide, seated on a throne and wearing a binh thien hat. His facial expression conveys a sense of solemnity. The statue wears a long robe adorned with two dragons in relief on the shoulders and thuy ba patterns below. The two accompanying attendants, standing approximately 66-68 cm tall, also wear robes decorated with phoenix patterns, reinforcing their supportive role in upholding justice in the earthly realm.

The Thuy Quan Dai De (Water Official) statue, measuring 78 cm, shares a similar form with the Dia Quan, featuring a binh thien hat and a dragon robe. According to folk beliefs, he is revered as a deity who rescues sentient beings from calamities. The Thuy Quan's face is round, with open eyes and a slight smile, balancing solemnity with benevolence. The statue wears a dragon robe, with the front panel adorned with the "Tho" (longevity) character in seal script and floral motifs in relief. The two accompanying attendants are also similarly styled to those in the other groups.

Actor Pham Gia Chi Bao (Chi Bao) stands beside the Hoa Loc ceramic stemmed bowl, which dates back approximately 4,000 to 3,800 years. This artifact is preserved at his Museum of Ceramics from the Nation's Founding.

Chi Bao expressed his happiness at receiving this honor for the second time. In 2024, a Dong Son ceramic steamer, dating back about 2,000 years and also collected by him, was recognized as a national treasure.

Actor Chi Bao established his private museum several years ago within his family's villa in An Khanh ward. He began collecting ceramics around 2010 while working on the "Hieu ve trai tim" (Understanding the Heart) program, drawn to their rustic beauty. He currently owns over 1,000 ceramic artifacts from various cultures, including Dong Son, Phung Nguyen, Dong Dau, Go Mun, and Sa Huynh.

According to Chi Bao, the Hoa Loc ceramic stemmed bowl was collected in the former Hau Loc district of Thanh Hoa province and remains in an almost intact state. This rare artifact showcases the aesthetic sensibilities and craftsmanship of ancient Vietnamese people during the Metal Age.

The Hoa Loc culture emerged approximately 4,000 to 3,000 years ago in the coastal region of Thanh Hoa. Its inhabitants primarily practiced agriculture, complemented by aquaculture and hunting. Pottery making flourished with advanced techniques, producing unique designs and rich geometric patterns.

{"caption_all":"The stemmed bowl stands 21 cm high, with a mouth diameter of 24 cm, and weighs over one kilogram. Its structure is divided into two parts: the upper funnel-shaped bowl with a wide, flared rim is harmoniously connected to a tall, cylindrical base that flares diagonally and features two opposing pierced holes.nnFrom the rim down to the base, there are 13 bands of decorative patterns, separated by intricate incised lines. These include engraved triangular and rhomboid patterns, rice stalk impressions, and dotted bands. Particularly noteworthy is the S-shaped pattern band, which creates a distinct characteristic of the Hoa Loc culture.","caption_items":"["",""]"}Quynh Tran - Tan Cao