THE HANOI TIMES — Step into the Hanoi Museum, and you’ll embark on a journey through meticulously curated exhibitions showcasing artifacts of profound historical and cultural significance, preserved across generations.
From everyday objects to rare national treasures, these relics weave a narrative of a city that has long stood as the heart of Vietnamese civilization.
A rare pair of bronze lion statues from the Revival Le Dynasty (1533–1789). Photo: Department of Cultural Heritage.
Among the museum’s most captivating highlights is the Thanh Mai Bell, cast in 798. Discovered in the Bai Rong area of Hanoi’s former Thanh Oai District, this bell is celebrated as one of the ten most significant artifacts of Vietnamese Buddhist culture. Equally mesmerizing is the 17th-century ceramic dragon altar from Bat Trang, a masterpiece from the renowned ceramic village that epitomizes the sophistication of Vietnamese spiritual craftsmanship.
According to Nguyen Tien Da, Director of the Hanoi Museum, two bronze lion statues stand as among the most prominent national treasures on display. Crafted during the Le Trung Hung (Revival Le Dynasty) period (1533–1789), these sculptures are a testament to the artistic brilliance and spiritual depth of Vietnamese artisans.
Through these priceless artifacts, the Hanoi Museum not only preserves the memory of a storied past but also invites visitors to connect with the enduring soul of Thang Long – Hanoi.
Masterfully Preserved Artifacts
According to the national treasure record, the pair of bronze lion cubs was acquired by the Hanoi Museum in 1992. Initially covered in soil with minor chips on their bodies and legs, these artifacts likely originated from a local discovery.
Young visitors explore Vietnam’s cultural heritage at the Hanoi Museum. Photo courtesy of Hanoi Museum
“Today, the bronze lion cub statues are impeccably preserved, adorned with an even layer of greenish-gray patina—a testament to the museum’s dedicated preservation efforts,” said Da.
Each lion, crafted from three seamlessly joined parts, exudes majesty with its raised head and straight front legs. Their expressive faces—vividly detailed with piercing eyes, curved tongues, and prominent fangs—seem to convey a serene smile. The bodies, characterized by sunken bellies, broad chests, and bell collars, reveal visible tendons that underscore both sacred strength and meticulous craftsmanship.
The bronze lion statues of the Revival Le Dynasty on display at the Hanoi Museum. Photo: Hanoi Museum
Thick fur curls around their heads, while exposed ribs suggest a life of ascetic devotion to religious practice. As described in the national treasure record, these lions are “…legendary creatures retaining the lifelike features of animals intimately connected to human existence—loyal companions and servants in daily life.”
Reviving the Dong Son Legacy
The lion cubs’ dense yet discernible decorative patterns are a marvel. Fine lines meticulously craft their beards, fur, tendons, bells, and other details, showcasing the artisans’ unparalleled skill.
More significantly, this style heralds the revival of a tradition dating back over 1,000 years to the golden age of the Dong Son culture, renowned for its intricately patterned bronze drums. The Revival Le Dynasty appears to have resurrected the superlative techniques of Dong Son bronze casting, as evidenced by the statues’ ultra-thin castings and near-flawless execution.
The Hanoi Museum’s bronze lion statues are among Vietnam’s rarest religious bronze artifacts. While similar statues exist in museums in Hanoi, Haiphong, and Ninh Binh, they are often damaged, incomplete, or solitary remnants of original pairs.
The pair of stone dragons at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel’s Kinh Thien Palace, another treasure of the Revival Le Dynasty (1533–1789). Photo: Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies
The An Bien Collection houses the most intact similar pair, but those lions are part of an incense burner and differ from Hanoi’s larger guardian statues (59 cm tall, 12 kg vs. 45 cm, 3 kg).
Designated a national treasure, the Hanoi pair epitomizes the distinctive artistic style of the Revival Le Dynasty (17th–18th centuries), a period when lion cub imagery flourished in Vietnamese religious art. Drawing inspiration from Dong Son bronze drums and jars, their form and style echo ceramics from the Ly (1009–1225) and Tran (1225–1400) dynasties, as well as Tran dynasty bronze pots and Mac dynasty (1527–1677) incense burners.
The bronze lion statues at the Hanoi Museum are not merely rare, well-preserved relics; they are living embodiments of Vietnam’s rich artistic and spiritual heritage. Their designation as national treasures underscores their enduring significance in Vietnamese art history and their pivotal role in safeguarding the nation’s cultural identity.
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