Ventilation Bricks

Era: 18th century
Material: Terracotta
Dimensions: 12 cm high; 14 cm wide; 4 cm thick
Discovery site: Hoang De Citadel Relic Site
Current location: Gia Lai Provincial Museum

Description

Ventilation bricks were discovered during archaeological excavations at the Imperial Citadel (Thành Hoàng Đế) site in 2005. These are terracotta architectural elements designed to provide ventilation while also serving decorative and aesthetic purposes for the structure.

The artifact is dark red in color, with a coarse yet sturdy body. It features three cut-out openings: a central one shaped like a chrysanthemum and two flanking openings that are roughly hexagonal. These openings are symmetrically arranged, balancing functional utility with decorative design.

Archaeological excavations in the Inner Citadel area have uncovered various types of patterned and ventilation bricks featuring diverse forms and motifs. These artifacts serve as valuable source material for studying the construction materials, building techniques, and architectural decorative arts of the Imperial Citadel during the 18th century.