The record-breaking Nguyen Dynasty mandarin is arriving in Vietnam (Photo: Balclis)

The return of these two precious antiques has drawn great interest from the media, researchers, and collectors nationwide.

In October 2021, the public was suddenly stirred by the news of the Balclis auction - Spain’s leading auction house where the Nguyen Dynasty mandarin hat was bought by an “anonymous” buyer at the price 1000 times higher than the starting price. The identity of the buyer is yet unknown and the curiosity of those interested is higher. In addition to the Nguyen Dynasty mandarin hat worth over VND 20 billion, this mysterious buyer also quickly obtained the Nhat Binh Ao Dai, a Hue imperial dress, with a sky-high price.

Currently, these two antiques are coming back to Vietnam and are expected to arrive in late March-early April 2022. It is estimated that the value of these two antiques can reach VND 35 billion, taxes and fees included. The new owner’s identity – a supposed renowned Vietnamese corporation – is also causing much curiosity and speculation.

For the past few years, bringing Vietnamese antiques home has always been of great effort for collectors as it requires a keen knowledge of antiques and strong auction skills. These antiques are highly appreciated for their rarity, sophistication, and cultural and heritage origins. There is a connection between the aesthetic beauty and the symbolism of a Vietnamese political institution of the past.

Some little information on the Balclis website reveals that the artifact is a “Vietnamese mandarin hat of the Nguyen Dynasty of the late 19th century and early 20th century”. The photos show that the mandarin hat seems to be almost intact and accompanied by an exquisite vermilion-painted and gold-plated wooden box patterned with four spirits. However, according to the antiquities researcher V.K.L., this hat is quite extraordinary as its owner might be of key position and could enjoy privileges in the court.

The wooden box that accompanied the Nguyen Dynasty mandarin hat (Photo: Balclis)

The antique researcher Mr. V.K.L pointed out that this Nguyen Dynasty mandarin hat is a round pommel belonging to a civil official, while its body is made of horsehair with double knots. As he compared the hat auctioned in Spain with photos of its counterparts in Vietnam – such as the hats of Marshal Le Van Phong, Marshal Thoai Ngoc Hau, Marshal Thien Vuong, and more – he found that it carries unique features in the pattern, texture, and attached jewelry. The researcher soon discovered the huge difference: the hat “has two extra dragons, which would mean the owner had enjoyed unprecedented privileges.” Perhaps, this valuable uniqueness is one of the reasons why the hat is priced so outrageously, bringing great pride to the owner. Along with the Nguyen Dynasty mandarin hat, the Nhat Binh ao dai , available at the same auction, is also arriving home.

The antique Nhat Binh auctioned with the Nguyen Dynasty mandarin hat

According to Nguyen Dynasty cultural researchers, this ancient costume is a shirt embroidered with five-color threads. The theme of the embroidery is the four seasons, with patterns of two magpies flying around the word “life”. The bottom is adorned with a carp among the waves and mountains. In addition, the collar has a rather sophisticated bát bửu (eight treasures) embroidery with five phoenixes, showing that the owner ranked among the ngũ phẩm (fifth-rank) in the court.

The unique part that identifies this costume as authentic is the tinsel around the collar – the finished product of a crafting technique that has not yet been recreated.

As the repatriation of these famous antiques (especially the mandarin hat) has been a rare occasion in the past decades, news that two antiques of Vietnam’s last feudal dynasty are about to arrive in Vietnam has continued to stir among the public. Along with the speculation about the two artifacts’ journey upon returning to Vietnam is that of the rich and “open-handed” owner’s identity. Further information will be provided as soon as we can see the antiques by ourselves in Vietnam in the near future.

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