A RARE DRAGON FOOT CHISELED SILVER ‘NAM GIAO CEREMONY - ĐÀN NAM-GIAO’ TAZZA OR CENTREPIECE BY MY-THANH 美清 OF HANOI VIETNAM, POSSIBLY LATE NGUYEN DYNASTY OR SLIGHTLY LATER, CIRCA 1900-1930 Resting on stepped foot or pedestal around which a finely and deeply chiseled dragon in high relief is coiled. The inner part of the cup is also very finely chiseled, its central part with a nice subject, possibly that of the Annam Emperor Procession and his escort during Nam Giao Ceremony at Hue, on the way to Esplanade of Sacrifice to the Heaven and Earth, together with numerous sapeques or pierced coins, in the outer border four dragons and the wish ‘Phúc Thọ Khang Ninh’ (‘福壽康寧’, lit. ‘Happiness, longevity, health and composure’). The base is incised with the maker’s mark and city: ‘美清 MY-THANH A HANOI’. H: 16,5 cm - D: 18,4 cm Weight: 1035,7 grams MỘT ĐĨA CÓ CHÂN ĐẾ “NAM GIAO CEREMONY - ĐÀN NAM GIAO” BẰNG BẠC ĐƯỢC CHẠM TRỔ VUỐT RỒNG ĐỘC ĐÁO BỞI MY-THANH 美清 HÀ NỘI VIỆT NAM, CÓ THỂ LÀ CUỐI TRIỀU NGUYỄN HOẶC SAU ĐÓ MỘT CHÚT, VÀO KHOẢNG 1900-1930 Note: The Esplanade of Sacrifice to the Heaven and Earth (‘Đàn Nam-giao’, ‘南郊坛’) is an imperial altar situated south of the city of Huế, central Vietnam. It is also known as the Nam Giao altar. The complex was visited by the monarchs of the Nguyen dynasty for annual praying ceremonies, although the worship of the realms predates the dynasty. During the ceremony, the king would ride elephants in a grand procession from the imperial city to the temple, accompanied by the playing of the Đăng đàn cung (‘登壇宮’, lit. Melody on the Ascent to the Esplanade) Anthem. NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.