REIGN OF S.M. EMPEROR MINH MANG (1820-1840). - Lot 39

REIGN OF S.M. EMPEROR MINH MANG (1820-1840). Important and rare imperial offering dish in polychrome enamel on copper called "phap lam". The central decoration features a coiled dragon with 5 front claws surrounded by 4 others chasing the sacred pearl among pink, purple, yellow and turquoise clouds on a blue-night background. The plate wing is decorated with garlands of flowers, dragonflies, butterflies, bats and birds in reserves on an alternating blue and white background. Important red four-character mark in a square on a white background 明命年製 "Minh Mang niên chê" i.e. "Made under the reign of S.M Minh Mang" and 3 friezes of stylized foliage transforming into a dragon. Vietnam, work of the imperial workshops of Hué (Phap Lam Ty Tuong Cuc), reign of H.M. Emperor Minh Mang (1820-1840). Diameter: 45 cm. (Excellent condition, very slight missing, some cracks). This decoration, typical of the Hué Court and reserved for the use of the Emperor, was created by the greatest artists of the Imperial workshop located within the Hué palace (Phap Lam Ty Tuong Cuc). The S-shaped dragon evokes the unified Vietnam of Emperor Gia Long, while the five dragons with five claws symbolize imperial excellence.