Nstra. Sra. del Carmen in a Virina
Nstra. Sra. del Carmen in a Virina
19th Century
Ivory, Baticuling Wood, Silver, Gold, Gold Leaf, Human Hair and Glass
with virina: H:29 1/2” x L:10 1/2” x W:10 1/2” (75 cm x 27 cm x 27 cm)
ivory: H:14” x L:5 1/2” (36 cm x 14 cm)
Opening bid: P 200,000
Provenance:
Manila
Lot 128 of the Leon Gallery auction on 10 September 2016. For more information, please see www.leon-gallery.com
During the late 18th and early 19th centuries glass hurricane lamps were used to prevent the light of a candle from being blown off by a passing wind. Tall hurricane lamps open at both ends and made with a bulbous body were used to surround a candle on a candlestick. In the late 19th century, when the practice of encasing santos in glass domes became popular, the lamps were converted to hold santos and were placed on turned and carved wooded bases and the opening at the top was covered by a turned and carved lid with a finial. Because their shape resembles that of the original Coca-Cola bottle, they were called Coca-Cola virinas by collectors today.
This particular virina stands on a beautifully turned and carved base standing on three ball feet. The base has two levels, the first being just a plain ring molding surmounted by a spool and topped by a bead molding with a frieze of upright acanthus leaves to hold the glass in place. The turned cover of the lamp is carved with a fringe of tiny scallops beneath a fine gadroon border. A beaded molding above is topped by a coronet of acanthus leaves with a turned finial at the center. The carvings were originally gilded and painted in polychrome, but only vestiges remain.
The statue inside the virina is that of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. The Virgin has an ivory head and hands, while the head, hands and feet of the Christ Child are of ivory. The body and the cloud base is 18th century in style, but the ivory faces and the painting of the image is of the early 20th century. The crowns of both the Virgin and Child are of gold and are 18th century in inspiration. The doce estrellas or halo with the twelve stars is parcel gilt with the rays alternating in silver and gold. Both images are carrying cloth scapulars edged with a chased gold border and stand on a completely gilded peana or base carved in the shape of a flower.
-Martin I. Tinio, Jr.
Nstra. Sra. del Carmen in a Virina
Nstra. Sra. del Carmen in a Virina
19th Century
Ivory, Baticuling Wood, Silver, Gold, Gold Leaf, Human Hair and Glass
with virina: H:29 1/2” x L:10 1/2” x W:10 1/2” (75 cm x 27 cm x 27 cm)
ivory: H:14” x L:5 1/2” (36 cm x 14 cm)
Opening bid: P 200,000
Provenance:
Manila
Lot 128 of the Leon Gallery auction on 10 September 2016. For more information, please see www.leon-gallery.com
During the late 18th and early 19th centuries glass hurricane lamps were used to prevent the light of a candle from being blown off by a passing wind. Tall hurricane lamps open at both ends and made with a bulbous body were used to surround a candle on a candlestick. In the late 19th century, when the practice of encasing santos in glass domes became popular, the lamps were converted to hold santos and were placed on turned and carved wooded bases and the opening at the top was covered by a turned and carved lid with a finial. Because their shape resembles that of the original Coca-Cola bottle, they were called Coca-Cola virinas by collectors today.
This particular virina stands on a beautifully turned and carved base standing on three ball feet. The base has two levels, the first being just a plain ring molding surmounted by a spool and topped by a bead molding with a frieze of upright acanthus leaves to hold the glass in place. The turned cover of the lamp is carved with a fringe of tiny scallops beneath a fine gadroon border. A beaded molding above is topped by a coronet of acanthus leaves with a turned finial at the center. The carvings were originally gilded and painted in polychrome, but only vestiges remain.
The statue inside the virina is that of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. The Virgin has an ivory head and hands, while the head, hands and feet of the Christ Child are of ivory. The body and the cloud base is 18th century in style, but the ivory faces and the painting of the image is of the early 20th century. The crowns of both the Virgin and Child are of gold and are 18th century in inspiration. The doce estrellas or halo with the twelve stars is parcel gilt with the rays alternating in silver and gold. Both images are carrying cloth scapulars edged with a chased gold border and stand on a completely gilded peana or base carved in the shape of a flower.
-Martin I. Tinio, Jr.