Two artefacts of Nguyen Dynasty open to public
Two Nguyen Dynasty artefacts dating back to the 19th century, which recently returned to Vietnam after they were bought by a company at an auction in Spain, are on display the public in Hue.
Accordingly, the Hue Museum of Royal Fine Arts on April 17 opened a display of two Nguyen Dynasty artefacts dating back to the 19th century: a mandarin hat and a Nhat Binh dress (royal costume for concubines and princess of the Nguyen Dynasty).
The artefacts have been returned to Vietnam after they were bought by a company at an auction in Spain. They were then donated to Thua Thien Hue Province, where the Nguyen Dynasty royal palace complex was located.
The mandarin hat, coming with a box in lacquered and gilded wood, was initially offered by the auction house at 500 to 600 euros. However, it sold for 600,000 euros, excluding tax.
Meanwhile, the Nhat Binh dress, a casual clothing item worn by the Empress dowager, Empress consort, and princesses of the Nguyen Dynasty, also went for a significant sum. The two auctioned items sold for about US$1.5 million in total.
The artifacts will be preserved at the Hue Museum of Royal Fine Arts and displayed for free-of-charge public view until May 17.
