A museum in central Ha Tinh Province has announced the discovery of an incense holder dating back to the 19th century.

A museum in central Ha Tinh Province has announced the discovery of an incense holder dating back to the 19th century. Photo baohatinh.vn

The Ha Tinh Museum said the holder is made of stone and had sophisticated carving patterns, depicting two dragons and a stylised moon.

The holder is in the shape of a cylinder, weighing 7.5kg and is 25cm high.

The museum staff discovered the holder during a field trip to Ky Anh District.

It is now being preserved at the Quan Tien Temple. The elderly living near the temple said they were told the holder was a gift given by a king of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) to a local, who used to work as a royal physician in the imperial palace in Hue.

The physician later returned home after the royal service to serve locals and helped cure people with herbal medicines. The local residents later built the temple to worship him.

The king presented the holder to the temple as a thanksgiving gift. The museum said it was valuable, and it would be difficult to find a second one of its type and era. — VNS