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Rue de Hanoi (Hanoi Street) by Bùi Xuân Phái – a work that epitomizes the artist’s profound and enduring fascination with the streets of Hanoi, a motif he returned to time and again with almost obsessive devotion. His art is distinguished by this intimate, melancholic dialogue with the city’s soul, rendered in bold strokes and quiet nostalgia. The painting belongs to A Quest for Eternity: …
Historic Auction Results | A Quest for Eternity: The Philippe Damas Collection | Christie’s Hong Kong Christie’s Hong Kong witnessed an extraordinary moment in the art world with the landmark auction A Quest for Eternity: The Philippe Damas Collection. The highly anticipated sale realized an impressive total of HKD 60,5 million (EUR €7,2 million, USD $7,85 million), solidifying the collection’s place in auction history. This …
A rare and exquisite celebration of Southeast Asian artistry, A Quest for Eternity unveils the remarkable private collection of Philippe Damas-an assemblage of masterpieces that transcend time, uniting history, culture, and artistic brilliance. This exceptional auction offers an intimate glimpse into the world of a passionate collector whose discerning eye has preserved the artistic heritage of Southeast Asia and modern Vietnamese art. Each work within …
A Quest for Eternity: The Philippe Damas Collection Christie’s, The Henderson, Hong Kong 29 March 2025 | 01:30 PM (HKT) A stunning showcase of Southeast Asian masterpieces and modern Vietnamese art. An exquisite private collection of Southeast Asian art and antiques, meticulously curated by Philippe Damas. Each photograph offers a glimpse into a world where history and artistry intertwine. This is more than an auction-it’s …
Joseph Inguimberty uses a rich palette, predominantly consisting of white and green hues. He utilizes “flat tints” and “matter,” treating volume through juxtaposed patches of colour. The artist uses brushes and painting knives in substantial gestures, thereby creating an impression of vibrating space. In this manner, he “illuminates” his primary figures, meticulously delineating them from the luxuriant vegetation. Inguimberty’s subjects-whether the clothes, the hats, the …
Philippe Damas and his dear friend Jean-François Hubert in his mansion in Singapore in 2024 THE DAMAS COLLECTION OR THE JOY OF BEING YOURSELF Philippe Damas’s collection of 51 paintings, gathered over more than 25 years, spans almost a century of artistic creation by 32 artists-15 Vietnamese and 17 French-including three women. These works illustrate the rare subtlety of themes found in Vietnamese painting. The …
Jean Volang, the esteemed artist, holding Nguyễn Gia Trí’s Les Trois Femmes (Three Ladies) at the home of his friend, Jean-François Hubert, in Paris, 2000. On the reverse of the masterpiece, Volang’s heartfelt inscription stands as both a testament to authenticity and a tribute to his dear friend: ‘Je soussigné, Jean Volang, artiste-peintre, 167, rue de Vaugirard 75015 Paris certifie que ce tableau est bien …
Philippe Damas’s residence in Singapore, where his collection has been housed for over 25 years The Philippe Damas Collection, a remarkable assembly of 51 paintings gathered over more than 25 years, spans nearly a century of artistic expression. Created by 32 artists – 15 Vietnamese and 17 French, including three women – this collection reflects and illustrates the rare subtlety, nuanced beauty and complexity found …
An exquisite private collection of Southeast Asian art and antiques, meticulously curated by Philippe Damas. Each photograph offers a glimpse into a world where history and artistry intertwine, capturing the tranquil elegance of the collector’s residence. Within this refined space, traditional sculptures, evocative paintings, and antique furnishings come together in perfect harmony, breathing life into the rich cultural heritage they embody. It’s more than an …
Nguyen Gia Tri: The Desire to Create Another World Nguyen Gia Tri, uses his brush in thick and deliberate colours – working with a more restrained palette than his master Inguimberty. A The allegorical portrayal of the three regions of Vietnam – Tonkin, proud and poised, Annam, austere but attentive, and Cochinchina, immature and unpredictable, are symbolized but also allusively characterized and magnified. From left …
Mai Trung Thu (Vietnam/France, 1906-1980) L’heure du thé à Hué (Tea Time in Hue) signed ‘MAI THU’, dated indistinctly ‘1937’ (lower right) oil on canvas 70.5 x 99 cm. (27 3/4 x 39 in.) Painted in 1937 Provenance Collection of Dr Lê Thai and his wife, France (acquired directly from the artist) Christie’s Singapore, 30 March 1997, lot 163 The Philip Ng Collection, Singapore (acquired …
Joseph Inguimberty (France, 1896-1971) Le retour du marché (The Return from the Market) signed and dated ‘INGUIMBERTY 1933’ (lower right) oil on canvas 204 x 200 cm. (80 3/8 x 78 3/4 in.) Painted in 1933 Provenance Collection of the artist’s family Christie’s Singapore, 1 April 2001, lot 52 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner Exhibited Loaned to National Gallery Singapore from …
Jos Henri Ponchin (1897-1981) Marché au Tonkin (Market in Tonkin) signed ‘Jos-Henri-Ponchin’ (lower left) oil on canvas 200 x 294 cm. (78 3⁄4 x 115 3⁄4 in.) Painted in 1930 Provenance Collection of the artist’s family Sophie Himbaut Commissaire-Priseur, 16 June 2012, lot 231 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner Exhibited Paris, Grand Palais Paris, Salon, 1932. Estimate HKD 240,000 – HKD …
I am deeply honoured to have been entrusted by Yves Cosquéric, a distinguished French auctioneer and judicial officer renowned for his expertise in art and antiques and the owner of Adjug’Art. It is a privilege to contribute to the auction of the remarkable works of Trần Quang Trân (Ngym). As an archivist and researcher in Vietnamese Art, I see this as both an honour and …
François De Marliave (1874-1953) La Pagode des Corbeaux à Hanoi (The Crows Pagoda in Hanoi) titled, inscribed and dated ‘pagode des corbeaux Hanoi avril 1920’ (on the reverse) oil on panel 26.3 x 18.7 cm. (10 3⁄8 x 7 3⁄8 in.) Painted in 1920 Provenance Atelier François de Marliave, Paris, 27 June 1992 Acquired from the above by the present owner in 2004 Estimate HKD …
Georges Barrière (1881-1944) La porte du temple (Temple Gate) signed and dated ‘Bangkok Georges Barrière 37’ (lower right); signed, inscribed and dated ‘Porte d’enceinte à Wat Poh G. Barrière 1937’ (on the reverse) oil on panel 35 x 27 cm. (13 3⁄4 x 10 5⁄8 in.) Painted in 1937 Provenance Private collection, France, 2001 Acquired from the above by the present owner Estimate HKD 40,000 …
Georges Barrière (1881-1944) Porte de la pagode des supplices (The Gate of the Pagoda of Torments) signed and dated ‘Georges Barrière 36’ (lower right); titled, inscribed and dated ‘Porte de la pagode des supplices (Koui hoa) Yunnanfou 8 bre 1936 Monsieur Jousset Dalat’ (on the reverse) oil on panel 27 x 35 cm. (10 5⁄8 x 13 3⁄4 in.) Painted in 1936 Provenance Pescheteau-Badin Paris,12 …
Marcel Bernanose (1884-1952) La déesse (The Goddess) signed ‘Marcel Bernanose’ (lower right); titled and dated ‘La déesse 1929’ (on the reverse) oil on canvas 100.5 x 81.5 cm. (39 5⁄8 x 32 1⁄8 in.) Painted in 1929 Provenance SVV Farrando Paris, 23 February 2017, lot 100 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner Exhibited Paris, Robinot Frères Salon, 1929 Estimate HKD 50,000 – …
Léa Lefugie (1890-1972) Le Tibet, terre des Bouddha vivants (Tibet, Land of Living Buddhas) signed ‘lafugie’ (lower left) oil on panel 46.5 x 55 cm. (18 1⁄4 x 21 5⁄8 in.) Painted in 1927 Provenance Private collection, France Acquired from the above by the present owner Literature J. Susse, Lafugie AU TIBET, J. SUSSE, Paris, 1950 (illustrated, p. 99). L. Lafugie, Connaissance de L’asie Le …
Alix Aymé (1894-1989) Portrait de jeunne femme Annamite (Portrait of a Young Annamite Lady) signed ‘alix ayme’ (lower left) mixed media on paper 38 x 58 cm. (15 x 22 7⁄8 in.) Executed circa 1938 Provenance Private collection, France Lynda Trouvé Paris, 2 April 2019, lot 317 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner Estimate HKD 120,000 – HKD 180,000 Price Realised HKD …
Nguyen Do Cung (1912-1977) La combattante (The Combatant) signed, inscribed and dated ‘Tam Kȳ 11/III Cung’ (lower left) watercolour on paper 54.5 x 39.5 cm. (21 1⁄2 x 15 1⁄2 in.) Painted in 1947 Provenance Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 5 October 2008, lot 962 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner Estimate HKD 60,000 – HKD 80,000 Christie’s, The Henderson, Hong Kong A Quest …
Marie-Antoinette Boullard-Devé (1887-1966) Couple de cambodgiens (Cambodian Couple) signed and inscribed ‘MA.BOULLARD DEVE Cambodge’ (on the reverse) oil on canvas 73 x 60 cm. (28 3⁄4 x 23 5⁄8 in.) Painted circa 1925 Provenance Bruun Rasmussen Auctions Denmark, 10 September 2012, lot 780 Private collection (acquired at the above sale) Saint Germain en Laye Enchères, 21 October 2012, lot 121 Acquired at the above sale …
Évariste Jonchère (1892-1956) Moines devant un temple au Laos (Monks in Front of a Temple in Laos) signed and dated ‘E. Jonchère 34’ (lower middle) oil on panel 38 x 27 cm. (15 x 10 5⁄8 in.) Painted in 1934 Provenance Christie’s Paris, 24 March 2005, lot 881 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner Estimate HKD 70,000 – HKD 90,000 Price Realised …
Jean Launois (1898-1942) La Vietnamienne (The Vietnamese) signed ‘Jean Launois’ (lower left) oil on board 53.5 x 57 cm. (21 1⁄8 x 22 1⁄2 in.) Painted in 1924 Provenance Marie-Francoise Robert Auction, 28 May 2003, lot 5 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner Estimate HKD 80,000 – HKD 120,000 Christie’s, The Henderson, Hong Kong A Quest for Eternity: The Philippe Damas Collection …
Jos Henri Ponchin (1897-1981) Le repiquage du riz (Transplanting Rice) signed ‘J. H P’ (lower right); inscribed ‘Idée du tableau Salon 1930. Le repiquage du riz, médaille d’argent, Salon des A-F’ (on the reverse) gouache on cardboard 25.7 x 48 cm. (10 1⁄8 x 18 7⁄8 in.) Painted in 1930 Provenance Art Valorem Paris, 9 April 2018, lot 170 Acquired at the above sale by …
Joseph Inguimberty (1869-1971) Portrait d’une jeune indochinoise (Portrait of a Young Indochinese Girl) stamped ‘INGUIMBERTY’ (lower right); stamped ‘INGUIMBERTY’ (on the reverse) oil on canvas 35.5 x 27.2 cm. (14 x 10 3⁄4 in.) Painted circa 1935 Provenance Collection of the artist’s family Saint Germain en Laye Enchères, 9 October 2005, lot 321 Private collection, France (acquired from the above) Aguttes, 12 April 2019, lot …
Alix Aymé (1894-1989) Au village (In the Village) signed ‘ALIX AYMÉ’ (lower left) mixed media on silk 29 x 39 cm. (11 3⁄8 x 15 3⁄8 in.) Executed circa 1937 Provenance Private collection, France Acquired from the above by the present owner Estimate HKD 100,000 – HKD 180,000 Price Realised HKD 163,800 Christie’s, The Henderson, Hong Kong A Quest for Eternity: The Philippe Damas Collection …
Gaston Roullet (1847-1925) Port de Hong-Hoa (Hong-Hoa Port) inscribed and dated indistinctly ‘Port de Hong-Hoa 21 décembre 1885 TON.KIN’ (lower left); signed and titled ‘GASTON ROULLET HONG.HOA-TONKIN’ (lower right) oil on canvas 33 x 55.5 cm. (13 x 21 7⁄8 in.) Painted in 1885 Provenance Private collection, France Acquired from the above by the present owner Estimate HKD 100,000 – HKD 160,000 Price Realised HKD …
Do Duc Thuan (1898-1972) Port sur le Fleuve Rouge (Port on the Red River) print on paper 49.5 x 42 cm. (19 1⁄2 x 16 1⁄2 in.) Executed in 1933 Provenance Private collection, Asia Acquired from the above by the present owner Estimate HKD 20,000 – HKD 30,000 Price Realised HKD 27,720 Christie’s, The Henderson, Hong Kong A Quest for Eternity: The Philippe Damas Collection …
Nguyen Tien Chung (1914-1976) Man Sewing with Two Kids signed, inscribed, and dated ‘Do Nghia N.t. Chung 57’ (lower right) mixed media on paper 37 x 51 cm. (14 5⁄8 x 20 1⁄8 in.) Executed in 1957 Provenance Private collection, Asia Acquired from the above by the present owner Estimate HKD 30,000 – HKD 50,000 Price Realised HKD 37,800 Christie’s, The Henderson, Hong Kong A …
Joseph Inguimberty (1896-1971) Dame assise (Seated Lady) signed ‘INGUIMBERTY’ (lower right) pastel and pencil on paper 58 x 40 cm. (22 7⁄8 x 15 3⁄4 in.) Executed circa 1937 Provenance Collection of the artist’s family Private collection, France Acquired from the above by the present owner Estimate HKD 40,000 – HKD 60,000 Price Realised HKD 100,800 Christie’s, The Henderson, Hong Kong A Quest for Eternity: …
Louis Rollet (1895-1988) Ruines dans la forêt (Ruins in the Forest) signed ‘Louis Rollet’ (lower right) oil on board 33 x 40.5 cm. (13 x 16 in.) Painted in 1931 Provenance Private collection, France Acquired from the above in 2006 by the present owner Estimate HKD 40,000 – HKD 60,000 Christie’s, The Henderson, Hong Kong A Quest for Eternity: The Philippe Damas Collection Live Auction …
Joseph Inguimberty (1896-1971) Portrait de dame (Portrait of a Lady) stamped ‘INGUIMBERTY’ (lower right) oil on canvas 41.2 x 33.3 cm. (16 1⁄4 x 13 1⁄8 in.) Painted circa 1935 Provenance Pescheteau-Badin, 12 October 2000, lot 12 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner Literature G. Pentcheff, Joseph Inguimberty: 1896-1971, Groupe Horizon, Paris, 2012 (illustrated, fig.36, p. 112). Estimate HKD 100,000 – HKD …
René Bassouls (1877-1945) Procession au Tonkin (Procession in Tonkin) oil on canvas 80 x 100 cm. (31 1⁄2 x 39 3⁄8 in.) Painted circa 1927 Provenance Lynda Trouvé Paris, 17 March 2020, lot 239 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner Estimate HKD 100,000 – HKD 180,000 Price Realised HKD 100,800 Christie’s, The Henderson, Hong Kong A Quest for Eternity: The Philippe Damas …
Jean Bouchaud (1891-1977) Laotienne (Laotian) signed ‘J Bouchaud’ (lower left) oil on cardboard 46 x 38 cm. (18 1⁄8 x 15 in.) Painted in 1925 Provenance Couton & Veyrac Nantes, 20 June 2006, lot 516 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner Estimate HKD 120,000 – HKD 180,000 Christie’s, The Henderson, Hong Kong A Quest for Eternity: The Philippe Damas Collection Live Auction …
Albert Cézard (1869-circa 1916) Scène tonkinoise (Tonkinese Scene) signed ‘A CEZARD.’ (lower left) oil on canvas 37.5 x 60 cm. (14 3⁄4 x 23 5⁄8 in.) Painted circa 1902 Provenance Private collection, France Acquired from the above by the present owner Estimate HKD 100,000 – HKD 180,000 Price Realised HKD 201,600 Christie’s, The Henderson, Hong Kong A Quest for Eternity: The Philippe Damas Collection Live …
Thang Tran Phenh (1894-1989) Luang-Prabang, Deux jeunes filles (Luang Prabang, Two Young Girls) signed and inscribed ‘alix Aymé Luang Prabang’ (lower right) mixed media on paper 35.5 x 30 cm. (14 x 11 3⁄4 in.) Executed in the 1930s Provenance Private collection, Amsterdam Christie’s Hong Kong, 25 November 2018, lot 360 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner Estimate HKD 150,000 – HKD …
Alix Aymé (1894-1989) Luang-Prabang, Deux jeunes filles (Luang Prabang, Two Young Girls) signed and inscribed ‘alix Aymé Luang Prabang’ (lower right) mixed media on paper 35.5 x 30 cm. (14 x 11 3⁄4 in.) Executed in the 1930s Provenance Binoche Renaud-Giquello & Associés, 11 March 2022, lot 56 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner Estimate HKD 100,000 – HKD 200,000 Christie’s, The …
Tran Van Ha (1911-1974) Le tombeau de l’Empereur Tu Duc à Hué (The Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc in Hue) signed ‘Trân hà’ (lower right) lacquer on panel each: 48 x 12 cm. (18 7⁄8 x 4 3⁄4 in.) (6) overall: 48 x 72 cm. (18 7⁄8 x 28 3⁄8 in.) Executed in 1937 Provenance Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 6 October 2008, lot 949 Acquired at …
Victor Tardieu (1870-1937) Vue d’Annam (View of Annam) signed, titled and dated ‘Victor Tardieu Vue d’Annam circa 1924’ (on the reverse) oil on board 20.5 x 26 cm. (8 1⁄8 x 10 1⁄4 in.) Painted circa 1924 Provenance Collection of the artist’s family Private collection, France Acquired from the above by the present owner Literature J.F. Hubert, C. Noppe, Art of Vietnam, Parkstone Press, New …
Vu Cao Dam (1908-2000) Portrait d’homme (Portrait of a Man) signed in Chinese, signed again ‘Vu cao dam’ (lower right) ink and gouache on silk 26.5 x 23.4 cm. (10 3⁄8 x 9 1⁄4 in.) Painted circa 1940 one seal of the artist Provenance Private collection, France Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 8 April 2008, lot 744 Acquired from above by the present owner Estimate HKD 160,000 …
Joseph Inguimberty (1896-1971) La marche le long des rizières (The Walk Along the Ricefields) oil on paper laid on canvas 37.5 x 65 cm. (14 3⁄4 x 25 5⁄8 in.) Painted circa 1936 Provenance Collection of the artist’s family Private collection, France Acquired from the above by the present owner Literature G. Pentcheff, Joseph Inguimberty: 1896-1971, Groupe Horizon, Paris, 2012 (illustrated, fig.83, p. 123). Estimate …
Bui Xuan Phai (1920-1988) Rue de Hanoi (Hanoi Street) signed and dated ‘PHAI 64’ (lower right) mixed media on newspaper 54.5 x 78 cm. (21 1⁄2 x 30 3⁄4 in. ) Executed in 1964 Provenance Acquired directly from the artist in 1983 Private collection, France (acquired from the above in 2003) Acquired from the above by the present owner Literature J.F. Hubert, C. Noppe, Arts …
To Ngoc Van (1906-1954) Deux femmes (Two Ladies) signed in Chinese, signed again and dated ‘Ngoc Van 41’ (lower right) mixed media on paper 59 x 32 cm. (23 1⁄4 x 12 5⁄8 in.) Executed in 1941 Provenance Joseph Inguimberty (gifted from the artist) Michel Inguimberty, son of Joseph Inguimberty (by descent from the above) Acquired from the above by the present owner Estimate HKD …
Tran Phuc Duyen (1923-1993) La prière (Prayer) signed and dated ‘TRÂǸ PHÚC DUYĒN 1944’ (lower right) gouache on silk 62 x 89 cm. (24 3⁄8 x 35 in.) Painted in 1944 one seal of the artist Provenance Private collection of Nguyen Cang, France Acquired from the above by the present owner Estimate HKD 300,000 – HKD 400,000 Price Realised HKD 730,800 Christie’s, The Henderson, Hong …
Vu Cao Dam (Vietnam/France, 1908-2000) Le poète (The Poet) signed, inscribed and dated ‘Vu cao dam Vence 1953’ (lower right) mixed media on board 61 x 50 cm. (24 x 19 5⁄8 in.) Executed in 1953 Provenance Private collection (gifted from the artist) Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 November 2023, lot 240 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner Estimate HKD 350,000 – HKD …
Alix Aymé (France, 1894-1989) Portrait d’une jeune fille (Portrait of a Girl) signed Alix Aymé (lower left) oil on canvas 55.5 x 46 cm. (21 7⁄8 x 18 1⁄8 in.) Painted circa 1938 Provenance Collection of Paul Mus, France Christie’s Singapore, 2 April 2000, lot 39 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner Literature S.W. Low (ed.), Between Declarations and Dreams: Art of …
Bui Xuan Phai (Vietnam, 1920-1988) Acteurs du Cheo (Cheo Actors) signed ‘Phai’ (lower left) lacquer on panel 31.6 x 45.8 cm. (12 1⁄2 x 18 in.) Executed in 1983-1984 Provenance Collection of Pham Tuy, Hanoi Acquired from the above by the present owner Literature A. Mashadi (ed.) and R.L. Keong (ed.), Visions & Enchantment: Southeast Asian Paintings, exh. cat., Singapore Art Museum, 2000 (illustrated, plate …
Nguyen Gia Tri (1908-1993) Bateaux dans la baie d’Halong (Fishing Boats in Ha Long Bay) signed and dated ‘Ng Tri 60’ (lower right) lacquer on panel 37 x 45 cm. (14 5⁄8 x 17 3⁄4 in.) Executed in 1960 Provenance Private collection, Vietnam (commissioned from the artist) Private collection, USA (acquired from the above in 1982) Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 5 April 2009, lot 134 Acquired …
Alix Aymé (1894-1989) La jeune femme et le fleuve (The Young Lady and the River) signed ‘ALIX AYMÉ’ (lower right) lacquer on panel 38.5 x 56 cm. (15 1⁄8 x 22 in.) Executed in the 1940s Provenance Jean-Marc Delvaux, 7 March 2007, lot 48 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner Estimate HKD 400,000 – HKD 600,000 Price Realised HKD 504,000 Christie’s, The …
