The sculpture of the toad sets a world record as the largest ceramic sculpture of a mythical creature. (Photo courtesy of Guinness World Records)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Two Vietnamese ceramic works are recognisedas having set Guinness World Records at a ceremony in Hanoi on June 30.
The ceramic works, created by Vietnamese artisan Nguyen Hung and Huong VietCeramic Company, include a sculpture of a toad and a carved and embossedceramic plate. They have been recognised as the largest ceramic sculpture of amythical creature and the largest carved ceramic plates, respectively.
The sculpture of the toad, measuring 173.5cm in length, 110cm in width and77.8cm in height, was made of clay and a unique enamel.
The mythical creature depicted is known as the holy three-legged toad or fengshui toad in Asia and is a symbol of prosperity. Sitting atop a pile of coinsand gold bullion, the toad features the yin and yang symbol on its head, a coinin its mouth, and the Great Bear constellation on its back.
Weighing 1,500kg, the toad sculpture was made by the artisan in 2018 after sixand a half months of work.
The world’s largest carved ceramic plate measures 137cm and weighs 400kg. (Photo courtesy of Guinness World Records)
The world’s largest carved ceramic plate measures 137cm and weighs 400kg. It ismade of clay and special enamel that was specially created by the artisan fromlotus stalk's ashes and Hong (Red) River sediment.
The plate has been embossed and carved with a complex design of cedrus trees, apair of peacocks, and feng shui elements of mountains and the sun with themeaning of eternal wealth, nobility, and happiness. It was crafted in 2018 andit took roughly 2,500 hours.
Nguyen Hung, whose real name is Nguyen Van Hung, was born in 1971 in thenorthern coastal city of Hai Phong. He has pursued the ceramic craft for thepast 40 years and has improved many techniques for the craft such as sculpture,embossing, relief and negative engraving on ceramic.
Established in 1955, Guinness World Records is the first and oldest worldrecord organisation. The first Vietnamese ceramic artwork recognised by theprestigious record organisation is Hanoi’s ceramic mosaic mural. It received aCertificate for the largest ceramic mosaic by the Guinness Book of WorldRecords in 2010./.
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Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
The sculpture of the toad sets a world record as the largest ceramic sculpture of a mythical creature. (Photo courtesy of Guinness World Records) 
The world’s largest carved ceramic plate measures 137cm and weighs 400kg. (Photo courtesy of Guinness World Records) 
