Bảo tàng lịch sử Quốc gia

“Royal Seals of the Nguyen dynasty in Vietnam” is a valueable present of National Museum of Vietnamese History celebrates the Great Anniversary of 1000 years Thang Long – Ha Noi in 2010. The Editors have the honour of introducing this new book to readers.

This volume is complied by PhD. Nguyen Dinh Chien, Deputy-Director of National Museum of Vietnamese History; PhD. Pham Quoc Quan, Ex-Director of National Museum of Vietnamese History, Director of Vietnamese Revolution Museum; PhD. Nguyen Cong Viet, Deputy Rector of Sino – Han Research Institute; with the wholehearted assistance of colleagues.

Royal Seals of the Nguyen dynasty in Vietnam is a part of royal tools collection of the Nguyen dynasty. This is precious object collection that the Hue Court handed over to the Government of the Democratic Repulic of Vietnam following the success of the Autumn Revolution on August 1945 and re-transfer to National Museum of Vietnamese History in 2007. The treasures of the Nguyen kings and members of the Nguyen royalty, form yhe bulk of the collection. Besides its imperial aspects each item represents a unique specimen of antiquity.

This volume, entitled “Royal Seals of the Nguyen dynasty in Vietnam” is the first in a series of research programs by the Museum on this valueable and unique collection. In line with our traditional objective, it introduces readers to further aspects of Vietnam’s cultural history.

It includes 9 parts: abbreviations, Chronology of the Nguyen Dynasty and Reign Periods, Introduction, Foreword, Royal Seals of the Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam, List of Royal Seals of the Nguyen dynasty in Vietnam, Bibliography, Plates, Rubbings. In there, “Royal Seals of the Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam” was shared into 4 main parts: Gold Seals of Lord Quốc Chúa Nguyễn Phúc Chu; Gold and Silver Seals of the Nguyen Kings; Jade and Ivory Seals of the Nguyen Kings; Gold and Silver Seals of the Nguyễn Queens.

In this collection, apart from the nationa’s two Heirloom Seals, all over seals were made from the reign of Gia Long to the reign of Đồng Khánh, and all are recorded in official historical records.

The Editors have the honour introducing some pictures about the Royal Seals collection in this book.

1. Gold Seals of Lord Quốc Chúa Nguyễn Phúc Chu

Đại Việt Quốc Nguyễn Chúa vĩnh trấn chi bảo; gold 80% purity; measurements (H x W x W x T): 6,30 x 10,84 x 10,84 x 1,10; weight (taels): 64,43; dating: Day 6, Month 12, Year Vinh Thinh 5, 1709, reign: Le Du Tong

2. Gold and Silver Seals of the Nguyen Kings

 

Quốc gia tín bảo; gold; measurements (H x W x W x T): 9,50 x 10,70 x 10,70 x 1,65; dating: 1802 – 19 , reign: Gia Long

Hoàng Đế tôn thân chi bảo; gold 100% purity; measurements (H x W x W x T): 11,1 x 13,77 x 13,77 x 2,68; weight (taels): 234,43; dating: Month 10, Year Minh Menh 8, 1827, reign: Minh Menh

Khải Định Đại Nam Hoàng Đế; silver-gilt; measurements (H x W x W x T): 9,75 x 07,55 x 06,34 x 0,82; dating: Year Bính Thìn 1916, reign: Khai Dinh

3. Jade and Ivory Seals of the Nguyen Kings

 

Vạn Thọ vô cương; blue jade; measurements (H x W x W x T): 6,80 x 7,30 x 7,30 x 3,20; dating: 18C; Nguyễn Lord

 

Hoàng Đế chi tỷ; white jade; measurements (H x W x W x T): 8,27 x 10,50 x 10,50 x 4,22; dating: Year Ất Mùi, Minh Mệnh 16, 1835, reign: Minh Menh

 

Khải Định Hoàng Đế ngọc tỷ; green jade; measurements (H x W x W x T): 3,10 x 04,13 x 04,13 x 1,75; dating: Year Bính Thìn, 1916

4. Gold and Silver Seals of the Nguyen Queens

 

Từ Dũ Thái Hoàng Thái hậu chi bảo; gold 85% purity; measurements (H x W x W x T): 7,91 x 11,75 x 11,75 x 1,28; weight (taels) 86,48; dating: Month 3, Year Ham Nghi 1, 1885

 

Lệ Thiên Anh Hoàng hậu chi bảo; silver-gilt; measurements (H x W x W x T): 6,28 x 09,92 x 09,92 x 1,62; weight (taels) 54,10; dating: Month 6, Year Thanh Thai 14, 1902

 

Đoan Huy Hoàng Thái hậu bảo; silver-gilt; measurements (H x W x W x T): 7,50 x 09,65 x 09,65 x 1,87; weight (taels) 55,00; dating:  Month 2, Year Bảo Đại 8, 1933

The Editors