The Canh Thinh Drum

The Canh Thinh Drum is among the first 30 priceless objects declared “National Treasures” in Vietnam

Originally left untitled, a copper drum dating from the eighth Canh Thinh year (1800) became known as the “Canh Thinh Drum": This unique drum has been declared a “National Treasure” in Vietnam.

Made of copper, the drum resembles a cylindrical leather drum. Its surface is curved’ and its body divided into three parts by two veins. These parts feature decorative patterns and inscriptions. The body has four bending handles. The drum measures 49cm in diameter, is 37.4cm long and weighs 32kg. It was made using sophisticated molding techniques that bear a strong resemblance to the traditional Dong Son molding techniques used by ancient Vietnamese people over 2,000 years ago. Made in a terra cotta mold, the drum features patterns of studs, fig leaves, coins and even birds reminiscent of both Dong Son drums (type I Heger) and Muong drums (type II Heger) in Vietnam.

According to a stone stele, the Canh Thinh drum was crafted by smiths from the famous bronze-casting village ofNgu Xa near West Lake. The drum is proof of long­standing molding techniques and demonstrates that Vietnamese people managed to retain their bronze drum culture throughout a great deal of historical turbulence. Over the centuries many bronze drums were melted to make weapons to fight against invaders.

The Canh Thinh drum’s beauty lies in its subtle decorative patterns. These include improvised patterns of a Dragon, a Kylan, a Tortoise and a Phoenix. Chrysanthemums, leaves and billowing clouds mingle with these Four Sacred Animals. The Canh Thinh drum also features a mythological creature familiar at the time: the Dragon Horse. This creature has four horse’s legs, a dragon’s head, protruding eyes and a long mane. The Dragon Horse carries a map believed to be the God-given Book of Reign. Behind the Four Sacred Animals are some Buddhist patterns such as fig leaves. These motifs reveal Buddhist influences on the drum’s makers.

On display in the National museum of history, the Canh Thinh Drum is one of the Nation’s most important treasures

The Canh Thinh drum also features 272 Chinese letters. This is unusual since bronze drums rarely bear inscriptions. The inscriptions shed light on the drum’s origin and contemporary historical incidents. They read: “In the second Vinh Huu year in the Le dynasty (1736), under King Le Y Tong’s reign, there was a woman in Phu Ninh Commune, Dong Ngan District, Phu Son (now Ninh Hiep Commune, Gia Lam District, Hanoi) named Nguyen Thi Loc, the wife of General Governor Giao Quan Cong who contributed to the construction of Linh Ung Pagoda (colloquially Nanh Pagoda, still standing in Ninh Hiep) and bell-making. The bell’s clear and echoing sounds awakened people’s good spirits to refrain themselves from evils. 64 years later when she passed away, villagers gathered in memory of her and donated to make this drum in April in the 8th Canh Thinh year (1800) under King Nguyen Quang Toan’s reign”

The making of the Canh Thinh drum is a beautiful example of the memorial traditions of Vietnamese people. The drum witnessed a key period in the country’s history with the Tay Son defeat of invaders. This brief period left a strong aesthetic legacy with treasures such as the Canh Thinh drum, Tay Phuong Pagoda and Kim Lien Pagoda. The Canh Thinh drum is on display in the National Museum of History. It is one of the nation’s most important treasures. ..

Trinh Sinh at VietnamCP.com

The Canh Thinh Drum
First post at: Vietnam Culture