CHINA FOR VIETNAM - 18th century Porcelain bowl decorated in blue underglaze with a dragon and a phoenix in the clouds facing each other around the flamed pearl. The reverse bears similar decoration and the mark "Noi Phu Thi Huru" (inner residence, right palace). Metal rim (scratches). Diameter: 18.4 cm The right-hand palace (Thi Huru) during the Trinh Sâm era (1739-1782) was the palace reserved for the first wives and principal concubines. The image of the phoenix represents the empress or noblewoman. Provenance: Agnès Nguyen Huu-Hào sister of Nam Phuong, last empress of Annam (Vietnam), then by descent. Expert: Cabinet Portier

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