BRONZE OF THE EMPEROR OF ANNAM S.M. KHẢI ĐỊNH, CIRCA 1922
MODEL MADE FOR HIS PERSONAL USE, BY PAUL DUCUING
As part of the construction of his mausoleum, which he wanted to be grandiose, the Emperor of Annam H.M. Khải Định, commissioned a life-size sculpture representing him. This commission is entrusted to the Toulouse sculptor Paul Ducuing. Taking up the codes of Western sculpture, he chose to make a French-style bust, like those that represented emperors in Roman antiquity. The symbolic language, however, borrows more from the Annamite culture. The outfit consisting of a tunic and a sober but elegant traditional turban emphasizes the humility that a figure of the rank of Khải Định must display. His social status is marked by the attributes he wears, including the plaque of the Grand Cross of the Dragon of Annam, formed by an eight-pointed star surmounted by a dragon, an Annamite and then colonial order. Paul Ducuing offers a realistic portrait of a majestic and humble sovereign at the height of his power.
A few small bronze models were made by the artist on this occasion, at the express request of Khải Định, who wished to keep them in the family. Estimated at €20,000 - 30,000, this bronze with a golden patina, offered for sale on November 29, 2021 was entrusted to the Aguttes auction house by Khải Định's great-grandchild, a descendant of Bảo Đại, the last Vietnamese emperor.
In 1922, one of these bronze examples was presented at the Marseille Colonial Exhibition. In 1931, during the International Colonial Exhibition in Paris, the Annam Pavilion presented a gilded painted plaster (H 77.5cm) which is now kept at the Musée du Quai Branly (historical collection from the Ministry of Colonies then deposited at the Musée National des Arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie in 1946).
It is still possible to admire the final full-length version in Huế, in the mausoleum of Khải Định, slope of Chau Chu Mountain, along the Perfume River.
PAUL JEAN MARIE DUCUING (1867/68-1949)
Portrait de l’empereur d’Annam S.M. Khải Định, circa 1922
Bronze with golden patina, signed at the bottom on the right sleeve, signed with the stamp F. Barbedienne Fondeur Paris on the base
33 x 22 x 12 cm
PROVENANCE
Personal collection of Bảo Đại (1913-1997) (designed especially for him)
Collection of Monique Toinel, favorite of Bảo Đại (offered by the former on the occasion of the birth of their daughter in 1965).
Then by descent.
PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS
Asian week
from November 26 to December 1, 2021
See the press release
Asian painters, Major works [31]
Public auction
Aguttes • 164 bis, avenue Charles-de-Gaulle - Neuilly-sur-Seine
Monday, November 29, 2021
See the catalog of the sale
View the sale lots
Exhibition by appointment:
Saturday, November 27, 2021: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Monday, November 29: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier
Asian painters expert
+33 1 41 92 06 49 - reynier@aguttes.com
A few small bronze models were made by the artist on this occasion, at the express request of Khải Định, who wished to keep them in the family. Estimated at €20,000 - 30,000, this bronze with a golden patina, offered for sale on November 29, 2021 was entrusted to the Aguttes auction house by Khải Định's great-grandchild, a descendant of Bảo Đại, the last Vietnamese emperor.
In 1922, one of these bronze examples was presented at the Marseille Colonial Exhibition. In 1931, during the International Colonial Exhibition in Paris, the Annam Pavilion presented a gilded painted plaster (H 77.5cm) which is now kept at the Musée du Quai Branly (historical collection from the Ministry of Colonies then deposited at the Musée National des Arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie in 1946).
It is still possible to admire the final full-length version in Huế, in the mausoleum of Khải Định, slope of Chau Chu Mountain, along the Perfume River.
PAUL JEAN MARIE DUCUING (1867/68-1949)
Portrait de l’empereur d’Annam S.M. Khải Định, circa 1922
Bronze with golden patina, signed at the bottom on the right sleeve, signed with the stamp F. Barbedienne Fondeur Paris on the base
33 x 22 x 12 cm
PROVENANCE
Personal collection of Bảo Đại (1913-1997) (designed especially for him)
Collection of Monique Toinel, favorite of Bảo Đại (offered by the former on the occasion of the birth of their daughter in 1965).
Then by descent.
PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS
Asian week
from November 26 to December 1, 2021
See the press release
Asian painters, Major works [31]
Public auction
Aguttes • 164 bis, avenue Charles-de-Gaulle - Neuilly-sur-Seine
Monday, November 29, 2021
See the catalog of the sale
View the sale lots
Exhibition by appointment:
Saturday, November 27, 2021: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Monday, November 29: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier
Asian painters expert
+33 1 41 92 06 49 - reynier@aguttes.com