It deals with an ancient house in Binh
Thuy. The owner is respected Mr. Duong Minh Hien, an old sentimental
man, by chance, remaining in the XX century. It is just thanks to its
maintained ancientness that this house was chosen as one of recording
sites for the romantic film "Lover" of producer J. Annaud.
The
native homeland of the Duongs' family was originally in Nha Man, Dong
Thap province, but they moved to Binh Thuy, Can Tho province and
installed themselves here more than 100 years ago.
They are so considered as "creators of heaven and earth" in this region. By the end of XIX century, this family became quite rich. At that time, the head of family, called by contemporary people as "Mr. Ba - council member", decided to spend his money and efforts in building a house "for nothing" (?), only for showing antiquities.
The construction was started in 1870 on an area of approximately eight thousand square meters. According to the respected Mr. Duong's stories, his grandfather was named Duong Chan Ky, whose souvenir is a portrayed picture, now solemnly hanging just in the middle room. An originality of the picture is that it was made in enameled terra-cotta with details as veritable as that of present photographs. It is said that such a technique of making pictures was known only in France and China since the end of the 18th century.
However, the writing in Chinese on the picture confused me, whether the craftsmen from Ben Nghe knew this technique. If it is true, the issue needs to be more studied. The picture has experienced so many events; there was a time when it was buried into mud to avoid bombing, but did not suffer from any harm. This family still keeps numerous cups, bowls, plates; all of which have a noble origin. The oldest objects are a bowl from the Ming dynasty in China with an age of 572 years and a big flower-vase with an age of nearly 533 years.
They are so considered as "creators of heaven and earth" in this region. By the end of XIX century, this family became quite rich. At that time, the head of family, called by contemporary people as "Mr. Ba - council member", decided to spend his money and efforts in building a house "for nothing" (?), only for showing antiquities.
The construction was started in 1870 on an area of approximately eight thousand square meters. According to the respected Mr. Duong's stories, his grandfather was named Duong Chan Ky, whose souvenir is a portrayed picture, now solemnly hanging just in the middle room. An originality of the picture is that it was made in enameled terra-cotta with details as veritable as that of present photographs. It is said that such a technique of making pictures was known only in France and China since the end of the 18th century.
However, the writing in Chinese on the picture confused me, whether the craftsmen from Ben Nghe knew this technique. If it is true, the issue needs to be more studied. The picture has experienced so many events; there was a time when it was buried into mud to avoid bombing, but did not suffer from any harm. This family still keeps numerous cups, bowls, plates; all of which have a noble origin. The oldest objects are a bowl from the Ming dynasty in China with an age of 572 years and a big flower-vase with an age of nearly 533 years.
Author: Traveltovietnam
