Champa treasures displayed at the National Museum of History are carefully examined by researchers.

The exhibition consists of two parts: Religious statues and mascots; Jewelry and objects bearing religious symbols and royal authority. After the exhibition opened, many opinions said that the statues introduced were fakes.

17th-18th century golden Buddha statue

Sharing with us, Mr. Nguyen Van Doan, Director of the National History Museum said, "Every time we hold an exhibition in conjunction with a private collector, there are always opinions coming in and out." According to Mr. Doan, to have an exhibition, researchers have to work for a very long time, so "I don't understand what people base on to say that the artifacts are fakes."

Mr. Doan also said that the Museum has cooperated with experts such as Dr. Pham Quoc Quan, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Chien... to research and evaluate the artifacts, then continue to evaluate them using scientific methods such as testing, dating...

Some golden statues at the Champa Treasures Exhibition - Marks of Time

“The goal of the exhibition is to involve private entities to honor and preserve cultural heritage. The Party and State's policy is to socialize the exhibition to diversify artifacts as well as to allow the private sector to participate in meaningful activities. We had to research for a long time before deciding to display it. I don't understand why many people said the artifacts were fake just by looking at the photos,” Mr. Doan said.

Mr. Doan said that in 1905, two famous French researchers, H. Parmentier and E. Durand, published their research results, introducing in detail the "treasures" of the Champa kings in the magazine of the French School of the Far East.

“Through these documents, we have the first authentic images to identify and evaluate artifacts of this type that are in the collections of museums and private collections at home and abroad,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Doan.

The National History Museum has coordinated with units to research and select more than 60 typical artifacts made of gold and silver from the 17th - 18th centuries to introduce to the public, most of which are displayed for the first time.

The Director of the National History Museum also said that in the coming time, he will continue to research to provide more complete information on issues of public concern.

Representing the research team of scientists, Dr. Pham Quoc Quan affirmed that the team of scientists had carefully researched the displayed artifacts.

“The golden pedestals and sacred animals displayed in the exhibition are covered with resin and beeswax. We had to study very carefully the dents, flats, and layers of paint on the statues. These traces are very natural and not flattened or distorted with the intention of counterfeiting. In particular, the statues have an uneven betel nut color due to time of use and not re-coated with another intention.

The research team includes: Associate Professor, Dr. Ngo Van Doanh, Nguyen Ngoc Chat, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Chien... all are famous experts in Champa and antiquities. During 10 years of research, we have approached from all directions, from artifacts to history, stone analysis, the type of glue connecting the statue... If you look through the glass cabinet and say it is fake, it is not okay at all. This is the collective effort, of course this announcement is not a "conclusion", we will continue to research, but if at first glance you think it is fake, it is really sad for the effort we have put in", Dr. Pham Quoc Quan shared./.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/champa-relic-found-in-national-museum-of-history-is-investigated-by-cac-nha-nghien-cuu-tham-dinh-ky-luong-20240829165606915.htm