Discover the captivating world of Champa culture at the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Danang City. This treasure trove of history offers a journey through time, showcasing the artistic achievements of a civilization that thrived from the 7th to the 15th centuries. With nearly 2,000 artifacts, including 288 displayed indoors and 187 in the garden, the museum provides a comprehensive look at Cham art and its evolution through periods of prosperity and decline.
The Museum of Cham Sculpture stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Champa Kingdom. Inaugurated in 1919 after a 20-year collection effort, the museum resides in a French colonial edifice on Danang's September 2 Street, named to commemorate Vietnam's Independence Day. The museum's prime riverside location enhances its historical ambiance, inviting visitors to explore the largest and most significant collection of Cham sculptures in the world.
The museum's exhibits are meticulously organized to guide visitors through the Champa civilization's origins, zenith, and eventual decline. The collection, amassed by French archaeologists from the École Française d'Extrême-Orient, includes pieces from significant temple sites such as Tra Kieu (Singapura), Dong Duong (Indrapura), and Thap Mam (Vijaya), spanning from the 7th to the 15th centuries.
The Cham people's passion for art and innate creativity is evident in the museum's displays. Artifacts such as altars, statues, and decorative works from Hindu and Buddhist temples and towers reveal the civilization's artistic ideals and the transient nature of existence.
Cham art is divided into two main periods at the museum:
The First Period (7th-9th Century): This era marks the blossoming of Cham art, exemplified by the Tra Kieu Altar, dedicated to Siva. The altar's intricate carvings depict the tale of Prince Rama and symbolize Siva's creative power through the Linga and Yoni. The Tra Kieu relics, unearthed in Quang Nam province, signify the location of Champa's first capital, Sinhapura (Lion City), established in the late 4th century. The museum's Tra Kieu gallery showcases 43 works from this period, with additional pieces in storage.
The Second Period (11th-15th Century): This period reflects the impact of numerous wars on Champa, leading to the capital's relocation to Tra Ban (Binh Dinh province) around the year 1000. Cham art evolved, with more elaborate animal motifs and less expressive human depictions. The Thap Mam style, with its grand sculptures of temple guardians like elephants, makara, and garudas, represents the civilization's final artistic endeavors. The Thap Mam Binh Dinh gallery displays 67 works from this era.
In 2004, the museum expanded to accommodate a new collection of approximately 150 works acquired post-1975. The museum has also benefited from the Programme on the Preservation of Cham Civilisation and Heritage, supported by the Musée Guimet in Paris. This initiative has facilitated workshops on relic preservation and restoration, contributing to the museum's ongoing efforts to safeguard Cham culture.
Despite the Indian civilization's influence on its architecture and sculpture, Champa's vision of life and religion was imbued with a unique and subtle beauty. The museum, open daily from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm with an entrance fee of VND 30,000, invites visitors to immerse themselves in this ancient realm's distinctive charm.
For more information on the Museum of Cham Sculpture and its collection, visit the official museum website or explore the UNESCO World Heritage Centre for insights into the preservation of Cham heritage.
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