Description
Khải Định (1916-1925), Ngợc Emperor's personal Khánh. Very important Khánh in white jade, engraved around the rim with a decoration of dragons facing each other in partially openwork clouds, framing engraved and gilded characters, on the obverse KHẢI ĐỊNH TRÂN BƯŨ meaning "precious badge of dignity of the Emperor Khải Định", on the reverse THỤ THIÊN VĨNH MẠNG meaning "having received the perpetual mandate of Heaven". Gold suspension chain, pendants formed by a thick red gold Annamite knot with floral decoration set with three Rhinestones on the obverse, below, three small pearls support three linked red gold filigree half-spheres, adorned with bangs of alternating mother-of-pearl and coral beads, the ends decorated with green pear-shaped beads emerging from small gold leaves. 104 x 57 mm, gross weight 82.64 g Provenance: collection of H.I.H. Prince Bảo Long, Binoche sale at Drouot, November 22, 1995, no. 12. This exceptional personal badge of Emperor Khải Định appeared on his many official photographs, notably those taken by René Tétart, head of the cinematographic mission of the General Government of Indochina. It was later also sported by his son Bảo Đại, who had the motif of the pendants modified by adding Rhine stones.
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Khải Định (1916-1925), Ngợc Emperor's personal Khánh. Very important Khánh in white jade, engraved around the rim with a decoration of dragons facing each other in partially openwork clouds, framing engraved and gilded characters, on the obverse KHẢI ĐỊNH TRÂN BƯŨ meaning "precious badge of dignity of the Emperor Khải Định", on the reverse THỤ THIÊN VĨNH MẠNG meaning "having received the perpetual mandate of Heaven". Gold suspension chain, pendants formed by a thick red gold Annamite knot with floral decoration set with three Rhinestones on the obverse, below, three small pearls support three linked red gold filigree half-spheres, adorned with bangs of alternating mother-of-pearl and coral beads, the ends decorated with green pear-shaped beads emerging from small gold leaves. 104 x 57 mm, gross weight 82.64 g Provenance: collection of H.I.H. Prince Bảo Long, Binoche sale at Drouot, November 22, 1995, no. 12. This exceptional personal badge of Emperor Khải Định appeared on his many official photographs, notably those taken by René Tétart, head of the cinematographic mission of the General Government of Indochina. It was later also sported by his son Bảo Đại, who had the motif of the pendants modified by adding Rhine stones.
