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Hanoi artisan preserves craft of hand-carved wood stamp in Old Quarter

Thursday, 12:26, 10/08/2023

VOV.VN - Pham Ngoc Toan, the owner of Phuc Loi Stamp outlet at 6 Hang Quat street in Hoan Kiem district, is one of the last artisans that continues with the craft of hand-carved wood stamp in the capital’s Old Quarter.

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VOV.VN trên Google News
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hanoi artisan preserves craft of hand-carved wood stamp in old quarter picture 1
Toan, 70, has been diligently pursuing the craft of creating hand-carved wood stamp in the capital for around 40 years.
hanoi artisan preserves craft of hand-carved wood stamp in old quarter picture 2
His outlet opens from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, attracting plenty of people who are interested in discovering the age-old craft.
hanoi artisan preserves craft of hand-carved wood stamp in old quarter picture 3
Toan recalls that he had worked as a mathematics teacher in Tay Ho district in the 1990s, but later quit his job due to a small income and began to work on wood carving.
hanoi artisan preserves craft of hand-carved wood stamp in old quarter picture 4
His wood stamp outlet proves to be a favourite destination among both foreign visitors and overseas Vietnamese who love the art of wood carving.
hanoi artisan preserves craft of hand-carved wood stamp in old quarter picture 5
Many youngsters are keen to discover the craft.
hanoi artisan preserves craft of hand-carved wood stamp in old quarter picture 6
In order to produce a wood stamp, the first step is to choose a type of wood that is both flexible and easy to carve on, then let it dry for a few days, Toan shares.
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He outlines customers’ ideas before making the wood stamp.
hanoi artisan preserves craft of hand-carved wood stamp in old quarter picture 8
The hand-carved wood stamps require more effort compared to the manufactured ones, the artisan says.
hanoi artisan preserves craft of hand-carved wood stamp in old quarter picture 9
Toan notes that simple motifs can be engraved in 10 to 20 minutes, but complicated ones may take an entire week.
hanoi artisan preserves craft of hand-carved wood stamp in old quarter picture 10
Patterns of flowers, animals, and others are skillfully engraved on the wood stamp.
hanoi artisan preserves craft of hand-carved wood stamp in old quarter picture 11
The craftsman must meticulously use knives, chisels, and small rasps in order to fine-tune meaningful patterns in plain woodblocks.
hanoi artisan preserves craft of hand-carved wood stamp in old quarter picture 12
Many wood stamps are used as special gifts given to relatives and friends.
hanoi artisan preserves craft of hand-carved wood stamp in old quarter picture 13
A stamp from Toan's shop usually costs VND70,000, equal to US$2.90, regardless of the number of details or length of words.
hanoi artisan preserves craft of hand-carved wood stamp in old quarter picture 14
Some youngsters come to learn his craft.
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Toan has spent almost his entire life making wood stamps in Hanoi's Old Quarter.
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He is trying to keep his family trade alive and is keen to find a successor.
hanoi artisan preserves craft of hand-carved wood stamp in old quarter picture 17
Nhu Ngoc says she knows the outlet through social media as she prefers hand-made products as gifts for herself and friends.

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