MANILA – The Philippines, with its rich history and cultural position at the crossroads of East and West, is one of the world’s leading centers for art. But until now, distantly located art buyers with a curiosity about the Philippines haven’t had a way to learn more about the treasures available there. All that has changed with the announcement that Salcedo Auctions, located in Manila’s upscale financial district, has chosen LiveAuctioneers to provide absentee and Internet live-bidding services, starting with a triple-session sale on September 18th-19th.
Day one is called “Connoisseur Collection,” while day two features “Important Philippine Art” followed by “Fine Jewelry & Timepieces.”
Established in 2010, Salcedo Auctions is the only auction house in the Philippines that specializes in the sale of fine art, jewelry, quality decorative arts and accessories by international and local artists and artisans.
“Auctions are one of the most effective methods of sale, combining the straightforwardness of a commercial transaction with the theatricality and high drama of public bidding,” said Salcedo Auctions’ president, Karen Kua-Lerma. “They offer sellers the potential of realizing better returns than they would usually receive on the secondary market, and provide buyers with outstanding opportunities to acquire rare, sought-after pieces, or afford quality collectibles with exceptional value.”
Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of Salcedo’s September 18 and September 19 sale, which is divided into three sessions:
This fine buffet/cabinet has elegant lines suggestive of the best French designs of the Art Deco era. It measures 38 x 67¾ by 19¼ inches.
An atmospheric oil-on-canvas marine painting by Juan Luna y Novicio, shown at the top, is titled Do…Va la Nave? Created in 1885, it pictures a skiff bobbing along a turquoise sea with an unusual cargo of passengers that includes six women in evening wear – one of them a bride in her white gown. The painting measures 21 ½ by 42 inches.
An exquisite oil-on-canvas Impressionist portrait of Rosa Nalda Gil, artist-signed by Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo in 1890, depicts a charming little girl in a lace-trimmed dress, her stud earrings and bracelet rendered in relief. Salcedo’s research of the painting revealed that the sitter was the daughter of a member of the Spanish armed forces in the Philippines and that she was the great-grandmother of a former owner of the painting.
Serious collectors of Philippine art have identified the Larawan series as being, arguably, National Artist BenCab’s most important. Borne out of his nostalgia for Filipino culture while living in London, and inspired by turn-of-the-century Philippine photographs, his exploration into these mementos of a bygone era resulted in paintings such as the 2003 untitled artwork included in the first of two September 19 sessions.
Artist H.R. Ocampo developed his own brand of abstraction that evolved from reducing objective images into shapes and shadows in an endless array of biomorphic shapes. In his 1971 oil-on-canvas titled Cantata, Ocampo references music and interprets it into a movement of his abstracted shapes by varying the texture, hue and size. In the 19th century, music was regarded as the most abstract of all artforms, since it was the product of pure imagination and not from the objective world. To quote the catalog description, “In Cantata, Ocampo presents a multisensory experience – an orchestra of color that engulfs the viewer in its presence.” This artwork measures 50 by 34 inches.
Another highlight is Lot 366, a genuine hand-woven Tabriz Oriental rug, round and sized 120 inches in diameter.
Entered as Lot 475, a narra wood figure representing a member of the Bulol-Ifugao tribe of North Luzon, Philippines, is carved in Hengyon style.
One of many beautiful fine jewelry offerings, Lot 507 consists of a pair of carved jade Chinese tassel-knot earrings with onyx and alternating ruby cabochons, all set in 18K white gold. Gorgeous!
The dedicated team behind Salcedo Auctions has a wealth of experience and an admirable track record built on the basis of uncompromising integrity and service. Guided by some of the most respected names in Philippine art and business, they uphold the highest standards of excellence and professionalism, and now that extends to their auctions accessible through LiveAuctioneers.
To contact Salcedo’s team of experts about any item in the September 18-19 auction, email info@salcedoauctions.com. Tel. +632 659-4094 or +632 823-0956.
Special note: The Philippines time zone is 12 hours ahead of US Eastern Time / 9 hours ahead of US Pacific Time. This makes secure absentee bidding through LiveAuctioneers even more appealing and convenient to art buyers beyond Asia.
