With the Year of the Horse approaching, the sound of clay being kneaded and shapes being refined echoes beneath the village’s ceramic roofs, blending with the hurried footsteps of artisans racing against time to complete terracotta horse figurines for the Tet market.
In sun-drenched drying yards, blocks of reddish-brown clay gradually take shape as proud, powerful horses. This year, horse figurines have attracted particular attention from consumers, not only because they symbolise the year’s zodiac animal, but because of their associations with good fortune, resilience, prosperity and success – aspirations widely cherished at the start of the new year.
Carefully smoothing every contour of a horse’s body, Luu Dan Quoc Doanh, a resident of Bau Truc Village, said the appeal of Bau Truc horse figurines lies in their entirely handcrafted production. Without moulds or machinery, each piece is shaped by hand, formed directly from the artisan’s emotions and experience. As a result, no two horses are exactly alike; each work has its own form and spirit.
“To complete a horse figurine requires many meticulous stages,” Doanh shared. “From selecting the clay and kneading it, to shaping, refining details, drying and firing in the kiln – every step demands patience and skill. Even a small mistake can cause cracking or breakage, meaning the work has to start again from scratch.”
According to Phu Huu Minh Thuan, Director of the Bau Truc Pottery Cooperative, the horse is far more difficult to shape than many other zodiac animals. Artisans must not only create the form but also breathe life into the piece, capturing a proud stance and a powerful yet supple sense of movement. Every detail, from the ears and mane to the eyes and each step, must be handled with great care.
Alongside traditional horse designs, local artisans have developed many new creations incorporating distinctive Cham decorative motifs. The dominant tones remain the natural hues of fired clay, with delicately treated surfaces that preserve a rustic, intimate feel while lending the figurines an elegant and refined appearance.
Beyond serving the Tet market, these terracotta horse figurines also help promote the image of Bau Truc, one of Southeast Asia’s oldest pottery villages, to visitors and pottery enthusiasts nationwide. In the days leading up to Tet, many tourists return to the village, delighted to witness the traditional handcrafting process first hand and to select one-of-a-kind horses as spring gifts.
From the skilful hands of young artisans, these terracotta horses are more than festive decorations; they embody hopes for a peaceful, prosperous and promising new year, reflecting the enduring rhythm of life in Bau Truc pottery village across generations.
