70th anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day Vietnam - Asia 2023 Smart City Summit Hanoi celebrates 15 years of administrative boundary adjustment 12th Vietnam-France decentrialized cooperation conference 31st Sea Games - Vietnam 2021 Covid-19 Pandemic
Home / My HaNoi / Lifestyle
24k gold-plated tiger sculpture for Lunar New Year decoration
Jenna Duong - Cong Phuong 16:18, 2022/01/06
Artisans from Kieu Ky gilding craft village in Hanoi have created a great Tet gift: 24 karat gold-plated tiger figurines.

Giving souvenirs with the images of zodiac animals is a habit of many people in Vietnam and some Asian countries. It is believed that displaying a symbol of the zodiac during the year will bring good luck and happiness to the owner.

According to the oriental belief, the zodiac for the next lunar year will be the tiger. Thus, the 24 karat gold-plated tiger figurine is widely introduced in the market for being bought as a meaningful gift on the occasion of the upcoming Vietnamese traditional Lunar New Year.

The weeks leading up to Vietnamese traditional Lunar New Year’s Eve are the busiest time for artisans from Kieu Ky gilding craft village in Hanoi. There are many gold-plated tiger figurines needing to be completed and then given as Tet gifts.  

This beautiful 24K gold-plated tiger sculpture has the meaning of ‘wishing a New Year full of happiness and healthy’ to the gift-receivers. The artwork is made by an artisan from Kieu Ky Village. Located in Gia Lam District, Hanoi, the village is the birthplace of the 300-year-old trade and the only one in the country practicing it because the secret of making gold leaf is taught only to the villagers.
Artisan Nguyen Thien Hung is the owner of Tan Hau gold-plated establishment, Kieu Ky Commune in Gia Lam District. The artist has been making gold-plated animals made of porcelain since 2015.
According to Hung, the golden tiger is the mascot representing power in Vietnamese culture. The 24k gold-plated sculpture of tiger seating on the gold coins depicts the meaning of power, prosperity, and abundance. 

Tiger is a more sophisticated figurine compared to other animals, thus the gold plating process requires meticulous attention from the artisans. Every day Hung makes two to three gold-plated figurines, depending on their sizes. A handcrafted work of gold-plated tiger figurine requires a series of manual steps. The tiger figurines before and after being gilded with 24k gold. 

The stage of the gold-plating process could only be performed by skilled artisans. The details are meticulously hand-finished for the final creation of a 24K gold-plated sculpture. Each of the finished works must undergo various stages such as painting, honing, gilding, and polishing. 
The 24K gold-plated tiger sculpture is a valuable and luxurious souvenir on the occasion of the Lunar New Year of the Tiger.

RELATED NEWS
TAG: Tiger 24k gold-plated tiger sculpture; Lunar New Year decoration; Tet gift; Kieu Ky craft village; gold-pl
Other news
22:03, 2024/03/05
Miniature “bamboo forest” in the heart of Hanoi
The tree planting project in Hanoi aims to add greenery and beautify the capital city's landscape.
18:10, 2024/01/18
Giant dragon-shaped kumquat bonsais amaze passers-by in Hanoi
The kumquat bonsais in the shape of the sacred dragon zodiac are well received by customers for their impressive and unique style.
06:03, 2023/12/20
Happy Vietnam 2023: motivating life through creative arts
Artwork authors hope to use their products as motivation and inspiration for sustainable growth of Vietnam.
22:35, 2023/12/06
Veteran journalist's memoir recalls great moments in history
The memoirs, about 500 pages long, detail the events Huong witnessed while covering wars.
17:26, 2023/12/02
Hanoi strengthens cooperation to promote golf tourism
Hanoi is currently seen as a potential destination for golf tourism, but other localities in the north and the Red River Delta are also appealing and able to meet the ever-increasing needs of tourists to explore destinations.
12:21, 2023/10/27
Ox-eye daisy season gets early start in Hanoi
The field of ox-eye daisies, or Chrysanthemum Japonense, in Long Bien District provides Autumn photo opportunities for Hanoi residents and visitors.