Bronze. Dong Son culture, c.3rd – 2nd century BC.
Height: 8.5cm; width: 9.5cm.
Discovered in Lach Truong commune, Hoang Hoa district, Thanh Hoa province.
This fine artefact was discovered by Swedish archaeologist, Robert Ture Olov Janse, during the excavation of a brick grave and was moved to the Museum in 1935.
The statue represents a dancing figurine and o musician playing a panpipe.
It is one of the finest examples of bronze products and is extremely rare and precious in many respects. It not only reflects the making of statues, which is not common in the Dong Son culture, but also throwing interesting light on another aspect of the art and culture of the ancient Viet people. This is yet another clue to the pursuits and cultural creativily of the Dong Son culture, with significant implications for our understanding of the long history of folk arts and musical traditions in Vietnamese life.
Dương Hà