SET OF TWO MINIATURES enamelled in colors on copper, in gilded brass frames, representing the bust portraits of high Chinese officials, one inserted in a square wooden frame. On the reverse of one of the miniatures is inscribed the name of the workshop "Raoul Hideux et Cie, 10 rue de la Paix Paris", with the date "1922". Attached are nine plates of sketches and draft portraits of various dignitaries; Also attached is a portfolio entitled "Chinese Leaders, Biographies", which contains information on 41 Chinese political figures from the Minguo period (1912-1949). Most of these files contain only a biography in Chinese, often translated into French or English. A few of the files, however, include correspondence. For example, the file concerning Dr. Sun Yat-sen contains the letters of exchanges between C. A. Benoist and on the one hand, Sun Fo (or Sun Ke), Sun Yat-sen's son (in English, typed), then Wei Yuke, Sun Yat-sen's secretary (in French, handwritten), from November 24 to December 20, 1924. Benoist, then in Tianjin, explained the project of exhibition of portraits of Chinese leaders and wished to obtain photos and biography, as well as to meet with Sun Fo and then Wei Yuke. He also wanted to meet with Sun Fo and Wei Yuke, who said that Dr. Sun was very ill (he would die a few months later, in March 1925) and that Benoist could not be received by him. There are also a few letters in the files of Tsao Kun, then president of the Republic; of Dr. W.K. Wellington Koo, prime minister and minister of foreign affairs; and of Han Kuo Chun, governor of Jiangsu. Finally, C. A. Benoist's trunk, containing plates and tools, and his briefcase, both with his initials, are enclosed. China, early 20th century. TWO ENAMELLED MINIATURES WITH NINE SKETCHES OF PORTRAIT PROJECTS, FORTY ONE DOCUMENTS OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CHINESE POLITICIANS AND A CASE AND A TRUNK OF THE WORKSHOP IN SHANGHAI, RAOUL HIDEUX ET CIE WORKSHOP, CHINA, EARLY 20THCENTURY. HEIGHT (WITHOUT FRAME) 8,5 CM (3 3/8 IN.) - DIAM. 6,9 CM (2 3/4 IN.) Nice set of seven miniatures by Raoul Hideux (late 19th-early 20th centuries) This lot illustrates in a very interesting way an aspect of the work and experience of a small enamel art company in Paris, Raoul Hideux et Cie, which was very well known at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The Figaro, in an article of 1899, even quotes her in a dithyrambic praise of her enamels. She specialized in miniature portraits, enamelled on copper. Raoul HIDEUX was himself the son of Charles Hideux (1824-1893), a famous photographer and bookseller of the time in Paris. We present seven miniatures in enamel on copper, which we divide into three lots. The first two lots are dedicated to Vietnam, with three portraits, and to Thailand, with a portrait of a young prince. These two lots are accompanied by a series of color-enhanced sketches, which may or may not be associated with photographs of personalities, giving very precise details of costumes and decorations, a sign of the importance given to the smallest detail, since the authors of the portraits wanted them to be as close to reality as possible. The third lot, devoted to China, includes two portraits of dignitaries, detailed sketches, and a portfolio of 41 files concerning Chinese political figures of the Minguo period. They contain mostly biographies, but in some files, we find correspondence that gives precious indications, especially in the file concerning Dr. Sun yat-sen. We learn that in the 1920's, the company Robert HIDEUX et Cie had the project to make a portrait of important political personalities of China and Asia, in order to present them in an exhibition. For this purpose, they sent a representative, C. A. Benoist, himself an enamel artist, descendant of a family of artists from the late 18th century. He was to contact the various leaders in order to obtain photos and biographies, and to meet with them whenever possible, in an effort to be as close to reality as possible in drawing their portraits. C. A. Benoist was in China in 1924, particularly in Peking and Tianjin, as evidenced by several files he compiled on Chinese politicians. Also included with this lot is C. A. Benoist's trunk, containing plates and tools, as well as his briefcase, both with his initials, precious evidence of the project linked to all these objects and documents. Raoul Hideux 19 20 Raoul Hideux et Cie 19 20 . 1899 Raoul HIDEUX Charles Hideux (1824-1893) C. A. Benoist 18 1920 Robert HIDEUX et Cie Benoist 41