A visitor looks at an original Nguyễn Dynasty woodblock on display at the exhibition. — VNS Photo Minh ThuViet Nam News HÀ NỘI — King Minh Mệnh (1791 – 1841) proclaimed Phú Xuân (the former name of Huế) the perfect place to put the country’s capital in The Veritable Records of Đại Nam. “No place is like Phú Xuân; it’s located on high and bright land, near the peaceful mountains and rivers… It’s the best capital of the kings,” he wrote. A woodblock carved with these words is on display at an exhibition at Hà Nội’s Temple of Literature. The exhibition, “Country Name and Capitals of Việt Nam in Woodblocks of Nguyễn Dynasty (1802 – 1945)”, showcases 32 documents revealing the establishment and changes of the names and capitals of Việt Nam throughout history. The exhibition displays 20 original woodblocks preserved by … [Read more...] about Nguyễn Dynasty woodblocks track changes of the country’s name and capital
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Ancient Chinese painting expected to fetch US$51 million
A man stands in front of a painting entitled "Wood and Rock" by Song Dynasty pre-eminent scholar Su Shi (1037-1101). (Photo: AFP/Philip Fong) The Song Dynasty artwork created by Su is "one of the world's rarest Chinese paintings", said the auction house. Entitled "Wood and Rock", the ink-on-paper handscroll depicts a dragon-like old tree with withered branches and a sharp rock resting at its root. The versatile literati, also known as Su Dongpo is one of the most important cultural figures in Chinese history and was an esteemed scholar, poet, prose-writer, painter, calligrapher and statesman. "The number of the works securely attributed to him are very few, probably only two or three. They are extremely rare," said Jonathan Stone, deputy chairman for Christie's Asian art department. The 185.5cm-long scroll is inscribed with calligraphy and the poems of four important literati of the 11th century in China, and also exhibits the seals of 41 collectors. The painting will be on view … [Read more...] about Ancient Chinese painting expected to fetch US$51 million
Ancient Chinese painting expected to fetch $51 million
A nearly 1000-year-old ink painting by one of China's greatest literati masters Su Shi is expected to fetch US$51 million at auction, Christie's said Thursday as the work went on view in Hong Kong. A man stands in front of a painting entitled "Wood and Rock" by Song Dynasty pre-eminent scholar Su Shi (1037-1101). (Photo: AFP/Philip Fong) The Song Dynasty artwork created by Su is "one of the world's rarest Chinese paintings," said the auction house. Entitled "Wood and Rock," the ink-on-paper handscroll depicts a dragon-like old tree with withered branches and a sharp rock resting at its root. The versatile literati, also known as Su Dongpo is one of the most important cultural figures in Chinese history and was an esteemed scholar, poet, prose-writer, painter, calligrapher and statesman. "The number of the works securely attributed to him are very few, probably only two or three. They are extremely rare," said Jonathan Stone, deputy chairman for Christie's Asian art department. … [Read more...] about Ancient Chinese painting expected to fetch $51 million
Hồng Ngọc Dynastie serves tradition in comfort
Viet Nam News by Nguyễn Mỹ Hà I had wanted to take my guest out to have Hanoian bánh cuốn (steamed rice crepe with meat and fragrant mushrooms stuffing) because she is Vietnamese but living in France and absolutely adores the dish every time she returns to Hà Nội. When I proposed it, however, she declined. My guest can enjoy herself when I take her out to small Hanoian eateries, where you can have only one dish, perfectly cooked but with no fancy tables or air-conditioning. But her French husband does not like the heat and humidity while dining. Instead, she proposed a place where the grapefruit salad, she said, was so good I had to try it. The restaurant Hồng Ngọc Dynastie is the exact opposite of the typical Hà Nội casual dining experience. It’s new and clean and well-decorated. Most importantly, the mahogany hardwood chairs are comfy. And the spacious room was well-ventilated. After we settled in, we began to … [Read more...] about Hồng Ngọc Dynastie serves tradition in comfort
Very rare Qing Dynasty bowl sells for US$30.4m
An extremely rare Qing Dynasty bowl made for the Chinese emperor Kangxi fetched US$30.4 million (HK$239 million) at auction Tuesday (Apr 3), Sotheby's said. Nicolas Chow, deputy chairman for Sotheby's Asia, holds an extremely rare Qing Dynasty bowl - one of only three known to exist - during a media preview at Sotheby's in Hong Kong on Apr 3, 2018. (Photo: AFP /Isaac Lawrence) The bowl, just under six inches (14.7 cm) in diameter, is decorated with falangcai - painted enamels combining Chinese and Western techniques - and flowers, including daffodils which are not typically depicted on Chinese porcelain. The bowl, said to have been used by the emperor in the early 18th century, was sold within five minutes to an unnamed phone bidder from the "Greater China" region, said chairman of Sotheby's Asia Nicolas Chow. Nicolas Chow, deputy chairman of Sotheby's Asia, holds an extremely rare Qing Dynasty bowl - one of only three known to exist - during a media preview. It sold … [Read more...] about Very rare Qing Dynasty bowl sells for US$30.4m