Extravagant buddhist statue expected to fetch $300k at festival

By Nguyen Dong   April 29, 2016 | 04:49 am PT
A sculpture exhibition featuring dozens of unique works made of precious gems is on display at the Museum of Culture in Hue as part of the Hue Festival 2016, which kicks off on the evening of April 29.
Extravagant buddhist statue expected to fetch $300k at festival

The exhibited works have listed prices so visitors who take a shine to a piece can purchase them. 

Extravagant buddhist statue expected to fetch $300k at festival

The most popular exhibit is a 72-pound maitreya sculpture made of black sapphire which is listed at $300,000. The sculpture was made by two craftsmen and took nearly a year to complete using a machine from the U.S. with a diamond tip to cut through the sapphire.


 

Extravagant buddhist statue expected to fetch $300k at festival

Artisans are showing their talents through a collection of beautiful scupltures made of rare stones at the exhibition.

 

Extravagant buddhist statue expected to fetch $300k at festival

A raw, unpolished slab of sapphire was transformed into a $40,000 sculpture in the hands of an artisan.

Extravagant buddhist statue expected to fetch $300k at festival

A 2kg sculpture made from ruby that resembles a human face.

 

Extravagant buddhist statue expected to fetch $300k at festival

An aquamarine piece shows entwined gourds with a cat climbing on top. It has the second highest listing price ($250,000) at the exhibition.

 

Extravagant buddhist statue expected to fetch $300k at festival

"Hue's culture" is made from tourmaline and carved with a dozen symbolic images of the old capital such as Truong Tien Bridge, Thien Mu Temple and the Noon Gate. It has a $50,000 price tag.

 

Extravagant buddhist statue expected to fetch $300k at festival

Another brilliant piece of art in the collection put together for the sculpture exhibition.

 

Extravagant buddhist statue expected to fetch $300k at festival

Duong Ba Dung, an expert on rare gems, said the artisans decide what products they are going to make based on the shape of each type of natural stone.

 

Extravagant buddhist statue expected to fetch $300k at festival

"Since these stones are worth a lot, they shouldn't be treated like wood. The carving should be based on each stone's natural shape to make the sculptures," Dung said.

Extravagant buddhist statue expected to fetch $300k at festival

"These works show that Vietnamese artisans are no less talented than any other country. A simple rock, in human hands, has great value," Dung added.

 

Extravagant buddhist statue expected to fetch $300k at festival

Small piece of rocks are turned into sourvenirs after being engraved with the picture of the ancient capital of Hue or Dong Son bronze drums. The exhibition is attracting a large number of tourists.

 

 
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