A PHÁP LAM - HUẾ ENAMELS ‘HUNDRED FLOWERS’ BETHEL BOX, COVER AND INNER TRAY POSSIBLY FROM THE SERVICES OF H.M. THE EMPERORS THIÊU TRI OR TU DUC Polychrome enamels on copper. The box is of circular shape and goes with a lid and an inner tray. It is finely enameled in bright colors with a decor of ‘Hundred Flowers’ against a night blue ground. H: 11,4 cm Notes: According to Vietnam Annal Records, it is during the 8th year of the reign of Emperor Minh Mạng(1820-1839), i.e. 1827, that the technique of enamel on metal, originating from Canton / Guangzhou, China, was introduced to Vietnam. At that time, a workshop was established under the responsibility of the official court painter Vũ Văn Mai. Compare with a related bethel box preserved in a museum in VIetnam. Click HERE to see the related box.