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115 - CHINA FOR VIETNAM - 18th century Porcelain bowl decorated in…
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Estimate €4,000 - €6,000
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Description
CHINA FOR VIETNAM - 18th century Porcelain bowl decorated in blue underglaze with a scholar on the edge of a cliff admiring birds, his servant bringing him his qin. On the reverse, the mark in relief in white on white Nội phủ thị đoài 内府侍兌 (Inner residence, western enclosure) the edges decorated with flowering rocks and birds (Crack). Diam. 14.5 cm This piece was made on commission for Đặng Thị Huệ, favourite then concubine of Lord Trịnh Sâm (1739-1782). In keeping with the etiquette of the Trịnh court, its decoration is limited to a pair of phoenixes, a symbol reserved for concubines, the dragon motif being reserved for the principal wife, accompanied by lacustrine landscapes. According to ancient sources, Đặng Thị Huệ, originally from the village of Trà Hương in the present-day district of Gia Lâm (Hanoi), came from a modest background and initially worked as a tea picker. Noticed for her great beauty while serving in the palace, she attracted the attention of Lord Trịnh Sâm, who took her as his favourite. Quickly influential at court, in 1777 she gave birth to a son, Trịnh Cán, who was recognised by the lord and designated heir, earning her the title of concubine. Living in great luxury, Đặng Thị Huệ was particularly attached to refined porcelains with the so-called "Hue blue" decoration, particularly those decorated with phoenixes, weeping willows, bamboos and lakescapes, as illustrated by the present piece. Her political influence was, however, strongly opposed: on the death of Trịnh Sâm in 1782, while his son was coming to power under her regency, a military coup reinstated his rival Trịnh Khải. Disappointed and imprisoned, she tragically ended her life by taking her own life shortly afterwards, putting an end to one of the most prominent and controversial careers of the Trịnh court. Provenance : Collection of Mr Moïse Barbaud, then by succession. Mr Moïse Barbaud, a banker in South America and then Hanoi, and an enlightened collector, brought back many objects, furniture and paintings from his travels.
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About the sale Classic furniture and objets d'art
Auction location
Auction time 06/18/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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