Lot 302
  • 302

Attributed to Nguyen Gia Tri

Estimate
35,000 - 55,000 HKD
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Description

  • Attributed to Nguyen Gia Tri
  • A Lacquer Box with Depiction of a Country Scene in the North of Vietnam
  • Lacquer on wood
  • Executed circa 1936 - 1939

Provenance

Collection from the Estate of Jules Brevié
Private European Collection

Condition

The lacquer box is in good condition overall. There is evidence of minor wear and handling most evident on the top edge, along with minor chips on the right edge, top left corner and inside the bottom right corner.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

A similar work is featured in Giulia Pentcheff, Joseph Inguimberty 1896-1971, Premier catalogue de l’oeuvre peint, 2012, p. 65

Gilded banana trees in the foreground demarcate the path of a charming and peaceful Vietnamese village, showing the daily life in the countryside.  A solitary woman carrying food walks across the composition. With a few basic lacquer colors (black, brown, ocher, gold and a touch of silver), the artist attests his talent for mastering lacquer art.

The present lacquer box comes from the estate of Jules Brevié. According to the research of Mme Giulia Pentcheff, this box is a work created by Nguyen Gia Tri dating from the years 1935-1937.

In those years, the French general governor of Indochina Jules Brevié supported the effort of Evariste Jonchère - the Director of the Hanoi Fine Arts school - for the development and production of lacquer works, both in quality and quantity. As a result, many art exhibitions and private orders - as gifts for French high-ranking officials -  contributed to the fame of lacquer works from Hanoi school.

Many young lacquer artists who were fresh graduates from the Hanoi Fine Arts School like Pham Hau, Tran Van Can, Nguyen Khang, Le Quoc Loc, and others - all fellow students of Nguyen Gia Tri -  took part in this mission of bringing ancient lacquer art into a new dimension in the field of 20th century modern lacquer art in Vietnam.