via Vietnam Net, 20 June 2021: A story on the royal seals of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Royal seals (kim ngoc bao ty) of the Nguyen Dynasty were considered ‘treasures of treasures’. Experiencing many ups and downs, most of them have been well preserved.
In the feudal time, seals were symbols of the absolute power. Therefore, they were not only made of the rarest materials, but also the crystallization of the talent and wisdom of the most talented craftsmen in the country.
All feudal dynasties in Vietnam from Dinh, Ly, Tran, Ho, Le to Nguyen, had seals, but only the Nguyen dynasty had a diverse system of seals. According to historical documents, the Nguyen Dynasty had more than 100 seals, which were cast in gold and silver, called ‘kim bao’, and made from precious gems, called ‘ngoc ty’. At present, 85 seals are preserved at the Vietnam History Museum and eight seals are displayed at the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities.
These seals, which were used by the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, the Empress, the Crown Prince, are truly treasures of treasures.
