18th C. Imperial Bleu de Hue Porcelain Bowl Commissioned for Trinh Lord (W/Noi phu thi Trung Mark) From Queen Mother Tu Cung Hoang Thai Hau - This stunning piece is elaborately glazed in vivid cobalt blue on both the exterior and interior with five-claws dragons amid clouds, chasing a flaming pearl. The base bears the four imperial character mark reading "Noi phu thi trung" (as commissioned for the central court of Trinh Lord). This very high quality porcelain was ordered from China for the court use. Although Chinese artisans executed the painting, Vietnamese rulers dictated the designs. Each ruler ordered ceramics of his own liking for use in his court, as well as presentation pieces to give to members of royal families and mandarin officials. This piece comes from the estate of a Vietnamese Royal Family (the family now lives in the United States, and wishes to remain private), and once belonged to the Queen Mother Tu Cung Hoang Thai Hau (Empress Dowager Doan Huy) who kept the piece in her personal collection before it was passed down. This is a true modern day treasure, and a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a piece of Vietnamese history. This piece has excellent investment potential, as it is thought by experts around the world and avid collectors that due to the rapid modernization of Vietnam, Vietnamese antiques will within the next ten years be more valuable than Chinese antiques. According to some of the most expert collectors in the world, what used to sell for hundreds are now selling for tens of thousands. Measurements: 8.5" diameter x 4.65"H. A similar (much smaller) piece was on view at the South and Southeast Asian Art Gallery of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts: http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/dish-noi-phu-thi-trung-158662