41 - Ⓛ PHAM HAU (1903–1994)

Ⓛ PHAM HAU (1903–1994) "Goldfish Amid Abundance" Rectangular lacquered wooden tray featuring, in the center, a polychrome and gold lacquer design depicting two goldfish swimming among seaweed. Signed and stamped by the artist in the lower right corner. 37 x 57 cm (Crack in the upper part of the tray) Provenance: - Private French collection. The work was acquired in Vietnam, likely between the late 1930s and the early 1950s, by Hélène Tissot (born in 1915 in Tourane) and her husband André Charpentier, whom she married in Saigon in 1936. Mr. Charpentier was a business partner of Lucien Berthet at the helm of the prestigious “Nouveautés CATINA” store in Saigon, an establishment that notably offered objets d’art and works by local and foreign artists. The couple, who were passionate about Vietnamese culture, built up a collection over the years of works representative of the art of colonial Indochina. The work has remained in the family to this day, passed down through the generations. PHẠM HẬU (1903–1995) “Goldfish Symbolize Prosperity” Rectangular lacquered wooden tray, decorated in the center with multicolored lacquer and gold, depicting two goldfish swimming among seaweed fronds. Signed and stamped by the artist in the lower right corner. 37 × 57 cm Provenance: - Private collection in France. The work was purchased in Vietnam, likely between the late 1930s and early 1950s, by Mrs. Hélène Tissot (born in 1915 in Tourane, now Da Nang) and her husband, Mr. André Charpentier, whom she married in Saigon in 1936. Mr. Charpentier was a business partner of Mr. Lucien Berthet; together they ran the renowned “Nouveautés CATINA” store in Saigon, which specialized in selling goods—including handicrafts and works of art—by both local and international artists. As enthusiasts of Vietnamese culture, the couple gradually built a collection of works representative of Indochinese art from the colonial era. The collection has remained in the family to this day and has been passed down through the generations.