When one thinks of the Tree of Life, several images may come to mind because of its deep roots in different cultures and religions. The first and last books of the Bible mention it together with the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, while the Bodhi Tree in Buddhism was where Siddhartha Gautama […]
‘Finer Pursuits’ Celebrates the Masters with Rare Art Auction
Finer Pursuits: Important Philippine Art & Rare Collectibles from Salcedo Auctions gives collectors an opportunity to acquire exceptional work from the past prized for their beauty as well as their scarcity. The auction will feature Philippine artworks and artisan pieces celebrating “the rare, the refined, the remarkable.”
This collection of works encompass a broad spectrum of brilliance across different mediums. Beyond their rarity, they illustrate the unique qualities of Philippine art and their signature figures, finding a je ne sais quoi that exists in past masters and contemporary works alike.
“More than an auction, this is a celebration of the Filipino spirit,” Salcedo Auctions chairman Ramon E.S. Lerma said. “[It is] expressed through masterworks by global Filipino artists and the visionary collectors who championed them.”
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Rare Works and Collections
Finer Pursuits focuses on works taken from both artists’ personal collections and private collectors. For example, included in the auction are paintings from fashion designer Auggie Cordero, which consist of two abstract cubist paintings by National Artist H.R. Ocampo and one portrait from Onib Olmedo.
“Friends of artists and collectors, he didn’t hoard but acquired only works he liked through the decades,” Thelma Sioson San Juan wrote in describing Cordero’s collection. “He was definitive about the themes he liked and the artists he wanted to mount on his walls.”
Other works by National Artists were also up for auction, including abstract expressionist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz. “Florero,” dated in 1965, and “Paisaje en Azul,” dated 1967, showcase the evolution of his abstract form as he continued his exploration of colors, shapes, and figures. Another artwork from 1975, “View of Manila,” portrays a vision of the city in between its romantic, green past and its dense, urbanized future.
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Masterworks like these abound, from sketches and paintings by Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, to paintings by Francisco Amorsolo, Juvenal Sansó, and José Joya. Of note is Vicente Manansala’s “Untitled (Carabaos),” which utilizes striking red colors in its depiction of carabaos resting in the fields.
“With its striking scale and color, provenance, and unmistakable visual language, this work is a vital piece of Manansala’s legacy,” the write-up from the auction said. “It reminds us not only of his formal genius, but also of the cultural bridge he built—between tradition and innovation, between the Philippine countryside and the modern world.”
Elevation of Philippine Artistry
More contemporary artists, such as Demi Padua, Arnold Lalongisip, Rodel Tapaya, and Geraldine Javier also had works for sale. It also has sculptures from Renato Rocha, Eduardo Castrillo, and Leeroy New. Collectors seeking a wide range of Philippine art history will find plenty to appreciate here.
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Beyond the artworks, Finer Pursuits also showcases crafted furniture, statues, and accessories from different parts of the country. For people hoping to decorate their homes or offices with indigenous materials, available here are bululs, wooden figures of roosters, belts and earrings of indigenous origins, and a collection of daggers from different regions.
For others, there are aged, artisan-crafted furniture like cabinets, benches, and even the Neoclassical entryway used as the Holy Door of Mercy at a church in Mandaluyong City in 2016. They also have vintage vases, luggage, historic books, and religious memorabilia in the collection.
Salcedo Auctions won’t end their search for masterful works with Finer Pursuits. They have other plans in the pipeline, including the launch of The Well-Appointed Life Experience, which seeks to elevate “quiet luxe” to a “curated” global audience.
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“These experiences—rooted in Filipino artistry, hospitality, and elegance—embody our nation’s unique take on living a life of meaning, beauty, and sophistication,” Lerma said.
Photos by Elle Yap.
Related reading: Salcedo Auctions Unveils Catalog for September Edition of ‘The Well-Appointed Life’
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