Vietnam Modern Art

Aguttes, a Historic Leader in the Appraisal and Sale of Works by Asian Painters

Aguttes offers French and European sellers—as well as a predominantly Chinese and Vietnamese buyer base—the expertise of a recognized team of specialists and in-depth knowledge of the art market. The house appraises previously unseen works across France and Europe, including modern and contemporary paintings and sculptures, as well as imperial and high-ranking Asian furniture and objets d’art. These pieces are then sold at auction in Paris to buyers across Asia, particularly in major markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Hanoi, and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).

A historic leader in the market for artists from Asia, Aguttes serves as a trusted intermediary for both private individuals and professionals, securing the best prices and achieving world auction records in a competitive and demanding market. A dedicated team ensures secure transactions and full payment for each lot sold under French auction law.

Three Dedicated Departments for China, Asia, and the Far East

Aguttes was the first Western auction house to explore and conquer the Indochinese art market, led by Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier, a specialist in Indochinese art for over ten years. She has played a key role in the rise of 20th-century Vietnamese modern painting on the international market, building bridges between collectors from China, Vietnam, and the broader Indochinese region. Her expertise has helped complete major collections and brought thousands of exceptional works to light. Since 2014, she has handled over 1,000 works in the field of modern Asian art, including nearly 150 paintings by Lê Phổ, over 115 by Mai Trung Thứ, and close to 100 by Vu Cao Đàm.
She is also the founder of AAP – Asian Artists in Paris, and is involved in compiling catalogues raisonnés for artists Mai Trung Thứ, Vu Cao Đàm, and Lê Phổ. Her book L’Art Moderne en Indochine, published on the centenary of the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine, provides an economic analysis showing Aguttes’ influence on the steady growth of annual sales figures for artists of this school. Between 2000 and 2022, Vu Cao Đàm and Lê Phổ each saw 21% annual growth, and Mai Trung Thứ an impressive 26%. In 2022, Aguttes held the largest French market share for these three artists: 78% for Vu Cao Đàm, 66% for Mai Trung Thứ, and 72% for Lê Phổ, in terms of total value.

Asian art—including works from China, Japan, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and Tibet—is selected across France and Europe by Clémentine Guyot and her team of collaborators and experts. Additionally, Ophélie Guillerot, a former gallery director in Singapore and a specialist in Post-war Contemporary Asian Art, highlights Chinese and Vietnamese artists in sales that draw international attention.

The École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine & Their Artistic Focus

Paris has long drawn artists from across the world. The leading painters trained at the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine often continued their studies in France—at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, in studios across Montmartre and Montparnasse, or in the galleries of the Louvre. The vibrant Parisian art scene inspired tremendous creativity.
These artists primarily worked in painting—using ink and color on silk, oil on silk, canvas, or board—but also explored lacquer and sculpture, showcasing a rich range of techniques and talents. Common themes include the female figure, shown standing, in profile, nude, or in domestic and natural settings; maternity scenes and children, often with elders, reflecting filial piety; as well as still lifes, particularly floral compositions. Nature, animals, and landscapes—often evoking their homelands—also featured prominently.

Provenance of the Works

The provenance of these lacquer works, paintings, and sculptures is often deeply personal and historically significant, with owners having acquired the pieces directly from the artists or inherited them through family. Preserved for years and sometimes forgotten or unknown in the West, these works hold emotional and aesthetic value. In response to increasing interest, our specialists offer free appraisals to help owners understand their market value today.

Lacquers, Paintings & Sculptures: We’re Looking for Signatures

In Vietnam, we look for works by: Lê Phổ, Lương Xuân Nhị, Vu Cao Đàm, Mai Trung Thứ, Lê Thị Lựu, Phạm Hậu, Nam Sơn, Lê Văn Đệ, Nguyễn Đức Nùng, Nguyễn Khang, Minh Châu, and others.
From China: Sanyu, Lin Fengmian, Pan Yuliang, Zhu Yuanzhi…
And also French artists who traveled or taught in the region, including Victor Tardieu—the famed founder of the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine—Alix Aymé, Evariste Jonchère, Joseph Inguimberty, and Henri Émile Vollet.

Benefit from Our Expertise to Sell Works by Asian Artists at Auction

Our Asian Painters Department holds four auctions per year in Paris, often scheduled around our Asian Art sales to align with major international and cultural events such as Asia Now – Paris Asian Art Fair, Le Printemps Asiatique de Paris, and Asian Week. Our representatives in China and Vietnam conduct extensive press outreach throughout Asia.
Our “Asian Painters: China, Indochina & Vietnam” and “Asian Art” auctions attract the top global collectors in the field.

Access an International Buyer Network

Aguttes provides sellers with a powerful and targeted communication strategy for maximum visibility worldwide. We pay particular attention to our auction catalogues—both printed and digital—ensuring high-quality production and content. Each campaign mobilizes buyers from across our network, spanning all specialties, and targets qualified prospective clients. Communication is deployed through multiple channels: online and offline advertising, social media, email marketing, press, influencers, and auction platforms—with strong, engaging content: visuals, copy, and video.

Free and Confidential Valuations of Your Asian Artworks and Paintings

Our specialist travels throughout France and across Europe, in collaboration with our regional representative offices in Lyon, Lille, Aix-en-Provence, the Western Regions, Brussels, and Geneva, to provide valuations and appraisals of your artworks.
The team also supports you in the search for, sale, or acquisition of a unique work through private sales, with complete discretion.

Before scheduling an appointment, you may submit your valuation request—along with a description, photographs, and any available documentation related to the work—via the online valuation request form, or directly by email to our specialist.

Our department organizes an average of four auctions per year dedicated to artists from the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine.