10 - CHINA FOR VIETNAM - 18th century

CHINA FOR VIETNAM - 18th century Porcelain bowl decorated in blue underglaze with a scholar at 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, favorite 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 today's Gia Lâm district (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 favorite. Quickly influential at court, she gave birth in 1777 to a son, Trịnh Cán, recognized by the lord and designated heir, which earned her the title of concubine. Living in great luxury, Đặng Thị Huệ was particularly attached to refined porcelains with so-called "Hué blue" decoration, notably those adorned with phoenixes, weeping willows, bamboos and lacustrine landscapes, as illustrated by the present piece. Her political influence, however, aroused strong opposition: on the death of Trịnh Sâm in 1782, just as 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 Monsieur Moïse Barbaud, then by succession. Mr. Moïse Barbaud, an enlightened collector and banker in South America and Hanoi, brought back numerous objects, furniture and paintings from his travels.