The model dates back over 500 years, showcasing the architectural style of the Early Le Dynasty palace.
The artifact was discovered in the 3rd-4th excavation layer of pit H1, located in the northeast, about 100 meters from the Kinh Thien Palace – the center of the Thang Long Royal Citadel. Earlier this year, the model was officially designated as a national treasure by the Prime Minister.
The Cultural Heritage Department’s records indicate that the model dates back to the 15th century, made from glazed terracotta, with an overall height of 16.8 cm. The treasure currently only retains a portion of the roof and the structural frame of the completed work. It features a system of columns consisting of four main pillars and 12 secondary columns (portico columns); the beams include the ridge beam, upper beam, and lower beam; and the dougong system includes dougongs, brackets, ang, and square beams.
Part of the model. (Photo: Cultural Heritage Department).
The arrangement of the columns indicates a rectangular architectural layout, with the larger roof measuring 35.1 cm in length and the smaller roof 32.6 cm. The main pillars and three secondary columns at each corner form a square, ensuring that the structure fits together. The spacing of the columns is uneven due to the impact of firing.
The complete roof of the model is a two-tiered structure with eight overlapping eaves. The found piece only retains the first layer of the roof. The outer ends of the portico beams are adorned with dragon head decorations, with mouths holding jewels.
Structural diagram of the model. (Photo: Cultural Heritage Department).
The treasure was produced as individual components, which were then assembled into a complete structure before being glazed and fired. In addition to clay, artisans used small bamboo sticks or very thin wood to connect them.
The apex of the roof tiles is decorated with flower motifs, which typically represent lotus or chrysanthemum flowers. These decorations are evident throughout the dougong systems at the corners, columns, and spaces.
According to the records of the Cultural Heritage Department, there have been no similar artifacts from the Early Le Dynasty architecture found and published in the Thang Long Royal Citadel. This confirms the uniqueness of the artifact.
In terms of morphology, the treasure shares many similarities with the architecture of the bell tower of Keo Pagoda (Thai Binh). The key difference is that the Early Le Dynasty palace utilized dougongs for primary load-bearing, while in the bell tower of Keo Pagoda, this system primarily serves decorative purposes. The dougong technique was invented by the Chinese, capable of bearing loads effectively due to the structure’s joint installation without the use of nails.
At the seminar Identifying the Architectural Form of Vietnamese Palaces during the Early Le Dynasty held in May 2022, Associate Professor Dr. Bui Minh Tri pointed out that ceramics from this period feature drawings of dougong architecture, vividly illustrated with multiple roof layers. This indicates that the Early Le Dynasty palaces continued to use dougongs as structural elements, reflecting their symbolism and status.
Model of the Early Le Dynasty palace from another angle. (Photo: Cultural Heritage Department).
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Quang, director of the Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, stated that the treasure provides evidence clarifying the function of the crimson lacquered and gilded wooden components found in excavation pits around the Kinh Thien Palace in recent years. Associate Professor Dr. Tong Trung Tin – president of the Archaeological Society – remarked: ”This model provides important details about the architectural structures of the Early Le Dynasty palaces for the first time”.
