Lot 522 , A late 19th century Sino-Vietnamese circular rosewood and mother of pearl inlaid food box, with losses, diameter 28cm

A late 19th century Sino-Vietnamese circular rosewood and mother of pearl inlaid food box, with losses, diameter 28cm Provenance -
Formerly in the private collection of (Michael) Ngô Ðình Kha (1856–1914), Minister of Rites and Grand Chamberlain under Emperor Thành Thái of the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue, Vietnam. The pieces passed down through direct descent to his daughter, (Elizabeth) Ngô Ðình Thi Hiep (1903–2005) and her husband Nguyen Van Am, residing in the Phu Cam parish of Hue. They were then entrusted by Ngô Ðình Thi Hiep directly to her daughter, (Bernadette) Nguyen Thi Niem (1932-1997), who successfully transported the pieces upon her departure from Vietnam in 1964 amidst the post-coup political transitions. They then passed down by direct maternal inheritance from Nguyen Thi Niem to the current owner, the great-granddaughter of Ngo Ðình Kha.
Kha was a high-ranking imperial mandarin and royal confidant to Emperor Thành Thái, as well as co-founder of the  Quoc Hoc – Hue High School for the Gifted. A rare Catholic mandarin who bridged traditional Confucian scholarship and Western education, he famously lost his position in 1907 after refusing to sign the French-backed petition to depose the emperor.  His historic Hue household is where his children grew up, including future president (Jean-Baptiste) Ngô Ðình Diem (1901-1963).
£100-150

Condition:
There are larger and smaller losses to the inlay. The wire is misshapen and dents in places with some scuffs and signs of wear and use throughout. Please refer to the further detailed images.

Sold for £50