Thematic exhibition titled “Pottery in the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long under the Lê Dynasty”

Archaeological findings made between 2002 and 2004 at 18 Hoàng Diệu Street revealed a complex of remains of palaces and pavilions within Thăng Long Imperial Citadel together with numerous royal utensils of different ruling houses. These important findings testify to the longevity of Thăng Long as a capital city across 1300 years, from the Đại La period (7^th – 9^th centuries), the Đinh – Anterior Lê (10^th century) over to the Lý (11^th to 13^th centuries), the Trần (13^th to 14^th centuries), and the Lê (15^th to 18^th centuries). With this important discovery, the capital city of Thăng Long has attracted growing interest and attention and finally became a World Heritage Site in the autumn of 2010 thanks to its immense Outstanding Universal Value.

Numerous ceramic items specially used by the king (also known as royal utensils) and terracotta items used by queens have been found for the first time. These are the objects that played important role in the life of the royal family not only on quotidian basis but also during major ceremonies such as banquets, the coronation of kings or the designation of the Empress Dowager. Many of these precious terracotta items were also used as votive weaponry in royal burial grounds or ornamental objects for palaces so as to highlight their impressive and noble beauty.

Pottery in the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long under the Lê Dynasty, with its debut at Thăng Long Imperial Citadel World Heritage Site, is expected to give visitors a clear and authentic idea of the nobility and quality of the pottery made uniquely for kings and queens in the imperial palaces of Thăng Long centuries ago.

The exhibition is jointly organized by Thăng Long – Hà Nội Heritage Conservation Centre and the Centre for Citadel Studies under Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

Opening time: from 2 September 2017.

On the special occasion of the National Day of Vietnam, Thăng Long Imperial Citadel is opening even on Monday (4 September 2017) to serve the sightseeing public.

Some typical exhibits:

Ceramic plate decorated with a phoenix (Lê Dynasty)

Transparent china bowl decorated with a five-claw dragon (royal utensil of the Lê Dynasty)

Royal ceramic items of the Thăng Long Imperial Palaces (Lê Dynasty)

Ceramic bowl decorated with a phoenix (Lê Dynasty)

Thăng Long – Hà Nội Heritage Conservation Centre