Vintage Vietnamese Hoan Kiem Lake Embroidered Landscape Painting 22"

Description

Vintage 20th century embroidered / needlework landscape painting depicting a lush green lake surrounded by foliage and orange flowers with a Pagoda / cottage nestled in the center. Faux bamboo style frame.

Hoan Kiem Lake story is one of the most famous folktales in Vietnamese culture. According to Hoan Kiem Lake's history, during the 15th century, Vietnam was under the Ming Dynasty's rule. One day, Emperor Le Loi was gifted a magical sword by a divine turtle while boating on the lake, which helped him achieve victory and drive out the Ming forces.

After the victory, the Emperor revisited this beautiful lake. He was boating through the still waters when the enormous golden turtle emerged to reclaim the sword. Le Loi returned the sword to the turtle, then renamed the lake “Ho Hoan Kiem” or “Ho Guom”, which means “lake of the returned sword”.

Due to this legend, the Hoan Kiem Lake turtle is revered here. A real turtle used to live in the lake, which is considered an incarnation of the divine turtle in the history of Hoan Kiem Lake. Unfortunately, it died in 2016. It was embalmed and is now displayed at the Vietnam National Museum of Nature.

Condition

Very Good

Dimensions

21.75" x 0.5" x 16" / Sans Frame - 18.75" x 13.25" (Width x Depth x Height)