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Jun 112 min read

Pham Hau: a Vietnamese master of lacquerware

In the pantheon of twentieth-century Vietnamese artists, the name of Pham Hau occupies a singular place. This outstanding master lacquerer sublimated the traditional art of his country, taking it to new heights of refinement and expressiveness. His work, imbued with a unique visual poetry, continues to inspire and fascinate art lovers the world over.

Pham Hau (1903- 1995) Rare and important lacquer screen, appraised by Gauchet Art Asiatique for the Millon auction house, sold for €200,000.

Born in 1903 in the village of Dong Ngac, in the heart of Vietnam, Pham Hau was immersed from an early age in a world imbued with beauty and creativity. Attracted by colours and shapes from an early age, he quickly developed a talent for drawing. It was in 1929 that he took a decisive step when he entered the École des Beaux-Arts d'Indochine in Hanoi, where he discovered the secrets of lacquer, an ancestral Vietnamese art.


At the school, Pham Hau proved to be an outstanding student. He mastered the complex technique of lacquer with virtuosity, combining traditional knowledge with Western influences. His works, of remarkable finesse and beauty, explore a wide range of subjects, from Vietnamese landscapes to scenes of daily life and animals.



Pham Hau (1903 - 1995), Elegant lacquer box, appraised by the firm Gauchet Art Asiatique for the Millon auction house, sold for €30,000.


Pham Hau's style is distinguished by its finesse, elegance and poetry. He uses a rich and subtle palette of colours, playing with nuances and transparencies to create effects of great beauty. His compositions are often harmonious and balanced, inviting the eye to wander through the delicate details of his works.


A graduate of the Indochina School of Fine Arts, Pham Hau embarked on a rich and prolific career. He taught lacquerware to his former classmates, helping to pass on this precious art to future generations. His commitment did not stop there: he played an active part in founding the National School of Art Deco in Hanoi, which later became the University of Fine Arts and Design.



Pham Hau (1903 - 1995) Femmes musiciennes, 1933, Ink and colours on silk, appraised by Gauchet Asian Art for Millon auction house, sold for €210,000


Over the years, Pham Hau has produced hundreds of works, each one a testament to his talent and artistic sensibility. His creations are exhibited in the world's most prestigious museums, from the Musée Guimet in Paris to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.


Pham Hau died in 1995, leaving behind a priceless legacy. His work, imbued with a unique visual poetry, has left an indelible mark on the history of Vietnamese art. He is considered one of the greatest lacquerers of the twentieth century, a virtuoso who sublimated this ancestral art and breathed new life into it.



Attributed to Pham Hau (1903 - 1995) Important and rare lacquered wood cabinet, appraised by Gauchet Art Asiatique for the Millon auction house, sold for €225,000.


Today, Pham Hau's works continue to inspire artists and captivate art lovers around the world. They are a precious testimony to the richness and diversity of Vietnamese culture.


If you own works by Pham Hau and would like to know their value or authenticity, please do not hesitate to contact Gauchet Art Asiatique. We will be delighted to assist you in the valuation and appraisal of your art treasures.





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