The tray and pipe are crafted from wood inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The tray measures over 31 cm in length, more than 18 cm in width, and stands 10 cm high. The set of Chinese books includes three volumes: Ngự chế canh chức đồ (2 chapters), Đan đồ huyện chí (25 chapters), and Tăng đính thi kinh thể chú diễn nghĩa (5 chapters). Among these, Hue Monuments Conservation Center received the set of books and the mother-of-pearl inlaid tray belonging to Emperor Ham Nghi.
These artifacts were delivered to the Vietnamese Embassy in Paris by Dr. Amandine Dabat, a fifth-generation descendant of Emperor Ham Nghi, and were then reached Vietnam thanks to Mr. Nguyen Anh Minh, a representative from Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.
Representatives from both parties at the artifacts receiving ceremony. Photo: Hue Monuments Conservation Center
In addition to these artifacts, Mr. Nguyen Anh Minh also received a rarely-seen painting by Emperor Ham Nghi, initially displayed around 1878. He noted that on November 12th, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum will hold a ceremony to announce and exhibit this artwork, with Dr. Amandine Dabat in attendance.
On November 5th, at the book launch discussion for “Ham Nghi: The Exiled Emperor - An Artist in Algiers”, hosted by Hue Monuments Conservation Center at Duyet Thi Duong Theater, Dr. Amandine Dabat will be present as the author and speaker. She will officially present her latest book, as well as formally hand over the artifacts of Emperor Ham Nghi.
Previously, in December 2022, Thua Thien Hue received a painting by Emperor Ham Nghi, painted during his exile in Algeria, also donated by his fifth-generation descendant.
Mr. Hoang Viet Trung - Director of Hue Monuments Conservation Center emphasized the significance of receiving these items for heritage preservation, honoring the historical values of the nation. Repatriating these artifacts offers the public, especially younger generations, the opportunity to view and learn more about Emperor Ham Nghi, a patriotic figure. The event also reflects Dr. Amandine Dabat’s tribute to her roots and contributes to deepening cultural cooperation between Vietnam and the international community.
Born in 1871 under the given name Nguyen Phuc Ung Lich, Emperor Ham Nghi ascended to the throne in 1884 at the age of 13 as the eighth emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty. In 1885, following the fall of the Hue capital, Emperor Ham Nghi, along with Ton That Thuyet, fled the royal palace. On July 13th of that year, he issued the Can Vuong edict from Tan So fortress in Cam Lo, Quang Tri, calling on citizens across the three regions to resist the French. In 1888, he was captured and exiled by the French to Algiers, the capital of Algeria. During his time there, his talent for painting blossomed. The emperor passed away in 1944 due to stomach cancer.