MINH TOAN – SGGP Online
After more than 20 years of collecting, scientist Trinh Quang Dung has owned more than 1,000 sets of teapots of different ages and shapes. From his hobby of collecting, he began researching and gathering more documents to write the Vietnamese Tea Civilization book. In early 2021, he renovated the 4-storey house into a “tea cover” for visitors to visit, enjoy tea and learn about Vietnamese tea culture for free.
Mr Trinh Quang Dung with the collection of teapots.
Collection of teapots unique
Trinh Quang Dung used to work at the Institute of Physics in Ho Chi Minh City; he is a famous scientist in the field of solar power but has a passion for collecting and researching culture. In particular, he was endlessly passionate about collecting teapots. Any corner of his house in Tan Binh district (HCMC) also has the presence of a teapot. On the ground floor are blue and white enamel pots, the typical glaze of Vietnamese-style tea during the three centuries from 17 to 20. Many Bat Trang ceramic pots with strange designs and smooth and unique enamel. He also used the path leading up the stairs to display antique teapots and restored teapots with special arrangements. Many pots with unique and fancy designs are displayed on the first floor. Among them is the Bach Dinh bowl with two layers of pure white glaze. When the light shines through, the enamel motifs drawing dragons and phoenixes in the middle of the bowl appear strangely.
Holding a teapot in his hand, Mr Trinh Quang Dung said: “I started collecting teapots in 1995. Whenever I go anywhere, I see teapots, tea utensils of origin, and unique patterns. begged to buy it.” With his experience in archaeology, historical knowledge and exquisite artistic vision, Mr Trinh Quang Dung collected tea tools from the Ly – Tran dynasties with lotus flower motifs made of celadon and brown enamel. “I was fortunate to collect two Camel kettles, a restored version of a copper kettle, dug at the site of Phu Luong, Ha Dong, Hanoi from the 2nd century AD,” Mr Dung shared. The impression in Mr Dung’s collection is the Phuong pot carved from the young jade block of the Ninh Binh mountains. Talented artisans carved this kettle according to the prototype at the Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan.
The second-floor space is the capital of teapots from hundreds of countries that Mr Dung can visit. Ms Vu Thi Anh Tuyet, Mr Dung’s wife, said: “Whenever travelling abroad, Mr Dung does not like going to amusement parks and landscapes but spends most of his time looking for teapots. He collected a set of Panda teapots imbued with Chinese characteristics, a set of Cranes full of Korean culture, brooms and bowls dedicated to making Japanese matcha tea … “. The largest number in Mr Dung’s collection is the Tu Sa kettle. This kettle originates from Yangtian, Yixing, and Tay Ho, China. Tu Sa kettle is made from long-standing weathered clay as hard as a stone, knocking like iron. Currently, he has dozens of models of Tu Sa kettles associated with the names of artisans and masters in China. Mr Dung shared: “Every kettle I collect is a charming and lovely beauty. Being a “beautiful person” must be respected and cherished.
Preserve for eternity
Although he has entered the age of seventy and eighty, Trinh Quang Dung’s footsteps still roam everywhere to learn and collect more rare and precious teapots. For this scientist, the passion for collecting antique teapots has become a predestined – karma.
It is precious that he spent his time researching and collecting, but he did not keep it for himself. He is ready to open the door to welcome those who want to come here to visit and learn. When guests arrived, he passionately gave a lecture on the origin of the teapots, then invited them to sit at the table to enjoy fragrant tea marinated from lotus flowers grown on the terrace. Enjoying tea from antique teapots must talk about Vietnamese tea, about Vietnamese teapots to fully feel the delicious taste of tea. The hobby of enjoying tea is also very elaborate; he shared: “If drinking alone, I use a dehumidifier, two people are wet, and three or more people are wet. Waiting for this Covid-19 epidemic, I will cooperate with universities, travel companies, and travel agencies so that they can bring students studying culture or tourists here for free.”
Through the introduction of friends, seeing firsthand the unique collection of teapots of Mr Trinh Quang Dung and Mr Dinh Vinh Cuong in Tan Binh district, Ho Chi Minh City, was fascinating. “Uncle Dung is knowledgeable about the origin and culture of Vietnamese tea drinking. When the epidemic is under control, I will invite more friends and colleagues to visit and drink tea with my uncle, “said Mr Cuong.
For Mr Trinh Quang Dung, the collection of teapots is an invaluable asset. Many people offered to buy back, but he refused to sell. He took care of them and kept them carefully to pass on to the next generation, with the desire to contribute to preserving the ancient customs and culture of enjoying the tea of our ancestors.
