#420 • Vietnamese Van Tho Palace Bleu de Hue Charger

Part of Lunar New Year Royal Family Auction (timed auction by GWS Auctions)

Starting at $1.00

Status: Sold

Est. $310,000-$315,000 Vietnamese 18th C. Van Tho Palace Bleu de Hue Porcelain Charger & Stand W/"Khanh Xuan Thi Ta" Mark (From a Vietnamese Royal Family) - This spectacular piece of Imperial Vietnamese history is a large bleu de hue porcelain charger which according to our seller was displayed at Van Tho Palace during the Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam. The charger is decorated on the front in vivid cobalt blue with an elaborate scene of a five-claw dragon and Qilin amid clouds and crashing waves, centered around a "Tho" longevity character. The dragon is depicted with five claws because the piece was made for an emperor, as pieces made for nobility were depicted with five claws while pieces made for the public depicted the dragons with four claws or less. The Qilin is a good omen, and is also thought to occasion prosperity, serenity and fertility. The back of the charger is also decorated in underglazed blue with an Imperial dragon and fenghuang (phoenix) along with a poem praising the prosperity of the Nguyen Dynasty ruling. The piece also bears the four imperial character mark reading "Khanh Xuan Thi Ta" (Made for the Principal Palace Shrine). This very high quality porcelain was ordered from China for the court use. Although Chinese artisans executed the painting, Vietnamese rulers dictated the designs. Each ruler ordered ceramics of his own liking for use in his court, as well as presentation pieces to give to members of royal families and mandarin officials. This piece comes from the estate of a Vietnamese Royal Family (the family now lives in the United States, and wishes to remain private as they still have relatives living in Vietnam). This is a true modern day treasure, and a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a piece of Vietnamese history. This is a prized possession of the family, and is one of the nicest Bleu de Hue pieces we have seen from the collection so far. The charger will come with a custom lacquered and gilt gold wooden stand. Measurements: charger-3"H x 40" diameter, stand-30"H x 70"W.