Preserving and promoting the value of antiques: What needs to be done (Last article) - "Awakening" antiques

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh once said, "Our people must know our history, to understand the origin of the Vietnamese nation." Therefore, the preservation, storage and display of historical artifacts, especially antiques, need to be given more attention. However, facing many difficulties and challenges, the question is how to preserve and promote the value of antiques in modern life?

Meritorious artisan Nguyen Thanh Tu in Luu Ve commune restores damaged antiques.

People who "revive" antiques

Bronze jars, bronze drums, or ancient vases... although no longer intact in shape, but through the skillful and meticulous hands of artisan Tran Van Thanh (Hac Thanh ward), they become beautiful and perfect. For many years, with the desire to help people restore valuable antiques, he has constantly researched, learned, studied and become a "rare" craftsman in this field.

Mr. Thanh said: "I have been involved in this profession for a long time, through learning from some experienced predecessors and learning more from books, newspapers, and social networks. At first, I only tried to make some items such as family cups and bowls, and gradually I restored antiques for some acquaintances and members of the Thanh Hoa Cultural Heritage and Antiques Association. To pursue the profession of restoring antiques requires the craftsman to be meticulous, meticulous and extremely persistent, because each antique requires different restoration techniques, even taking a lot of effort to learn and time to complete.

Normally, before restoring an item, not only me but any craftsman must also research the history, age as well as the motifs and patterns on the antique, in order to re-engrave the shape to match the original value of the antique. Next, use sandpaper to rub the surface, removing the rough spots. Finally, the step of mixing colors, redecorating the newly completed defect and covering it with a layer of clear paint.

For example, this broken Dong Son bronze drum was brought in by locals for restoration a long time ago. However, restoring a bronze drum is a process of restoring the shape, patterns and casting techniques of the Dong Son bronze drum. This process includes researching the original artifacts, searching for broken pieces and using traditional casting techniques to create copies or restored versions, so it requires quite a lot of time," said Mr. Thanh.

Having been in the profession for a long time, Mr. Thanh still does not remember how many antiques he has "revived". He only knows that each time an antique is completed to its original state, he feels like he has "revived" the ancient cultural values ​​that the previous generation left behind. However, according to Mr. Thanh, the number of people working in the antique restoration profession in the province is not much, almost only a handful. Therefore, he is also very worried that when the generation of craftsmen like him gets old, it will be difficult to find "successors".

Also concerned about finding someone to pass on the craft, Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Thanh Tu in Luu Ve commune confided: "For many people, antiques are not only valuable but also a memory for them. That is why these seemingly worthless items, through the restoration hands of craftsmen like us, not only become perfect and valuable but also contain many historical stories of our ancestors. That is also the reason why I chose the path of "finding memories" through antiques."

Holding the restored antique vase, Mr. Tu said: "This antique vase is broken in many places, so it took me a long time to determine the condition of the antique, the level of damage, the material and other related factors to come up with a suitable restoration method. At the same time, I had to find out the history of this antique vase to decorate the motifs and patterns to the original. Then mix the glue and apply it to the lost area. Wait for the glue to dry before shaping the chipped area. Next, use a grinder and sandpaper to remove the excess glue and seal the joints...".

Therefore, it is said that the profession of antique restoration not only requires knowledge and professional skills, but also requires passion, patience and high responsibility. Antique restorers are considered as "doctors" of antiques, helping them to come back to life and continue to tell their stories to future generations.

In today's modern life, people like Mr. Thanh and Mr. Tu are probably rare. Because they are not only artisans restoring antiques, but also dedicated people who cherish the traditional cultural heritages left by their ancestors. And then, every day they diligently pick up each piece to "patch" and breathe life into and "revive" countless antiques.

Strengthening the protection of antiquities

In recent years, localities, units, and management boards of historical and cultural relics in the province have paid special attention to the management and protection of relics, antiquities, and worship objects at the relic site. At the same time, they have focused on digitizing artifacts to preserve and conserve them.

Regarding this issue, Deputy Director of the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center Trinh Huu Anh said: "To preserve the artifacts in the best way, we regularly check, clean, arrange neatly, classify each material to have periodic maintenance measures for each artifact. At the same time, the artifacts after excavation and collection are also measured, recorded in detail, meticulously information to serve as a basis for inventory books and scientific records to ensure the scientific and legal nature of the artifacts. In addition, we also regularly propagate and mobilize to raise people's awareness and responsibility in protecting artifacts; encourage people to donate artifacts when excavated underground"...

Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Cultural Heritage and Antiquities Association Ho Quang Son said: "In order for museum artifacts to have a longer lifespan, units that are preserving artifacts need to pay attention to investing in building exhibition houses that meet the requirements for displaying treasures. At the same time, it is necessary to add specialized technical staff to serve the research, conservation, and promotion of antique values. In addition, more attention should be paid to the work of inventorying and digitizing valuable historical documents and artifacts. Building a database not only helps to manage artifacts better but also creates conditions for promoting and introducing cultural and historical values ​​to the community and internationally"...

Recently, the Provincial People's Committee issued Official Dispatch No. 9972/UBND-VHXH on continuing to strengthen the management and protection of relics, artifacts, and valuable antiquities in the province. Accordingly, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is required to preside over and continue to closely coordinate with relevant departments and branches; based on current legal regulations and assigned functions, tasks, and powers, promptly deploy and guide relevant localities, units, and individuals to strictly, fully, and effectively implement the management and protection of relics, artifacts, and valuable antiquities in the province. Well perform the task of protecting historical and cultural relics, scenic spots, artifacts, relics, antiquities, and national treasures belonging to relics in the province in accordance with the provisions of law. At the same time, there must be plans to prevent, detect early and be ready to stop and handle acts of encroachment and sabotage, ensuring absolute safety for the relic and the artifacts, relics, antiquities and national treasures belonging to the relic; not allowing them to be lost, misplaced or violated in any form.

Antiques are the assets and treasures left by our ancestors. Therefore, preserving and promoting the value of antiques is not just the responsibility of any individual, but the responsibility of the whole community.

Article and photos: Nguyen Dat

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/bao-ton-phat-huy-gia-tri-co-vat-viec-can-lam-bai-cuoi-danh-thuc-co-vat-261043.htm