Sheraton altar table
A Sheraton altar table
Last Quarter, 19th century, Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur
Narra with kamagong and lanite inlays
90 x 133 x 62.5 cm (35 x 52 x 25 in)
Santo Domingo in Ilocos Sur was famous not only for its sweet santol fruits and association with the the young Diego Silang, later to become a revolutionary leader, the town – due to its close proximity to the provincial capital, Vigan – has turned out rare pieces of furniture occasionally.
Famed English furniture maker Thomas Sheraton (b. 1751) inspired American cabinet maker Duncan Phyfe (b. 1768) to promote Neoclassicism in the United States, which eventually spilled over to the Philippines towards the mid-19th century. Evidences of these can be seen in this Sheraton-style altar table: the serpentine shape of the front of the mitered top that bows in the middle; the restrained use of inlays – in the broad Greek key pattern (similar to Chinese meandering) done in kamagong on the drawers, and in the bordered diamond pattern with dotted center that runs from the sides to the front using kamagong and lanite inlays; and the turned legs separated by turned rings that become the feet.
Local elements such as flower buds, inscribed six-petal flowers, and tongue-like pattern that can be found in many Ilocos pieces are also present here. Arched scrolls and C-scrolls define the shape of the side and front aprons. The middle drawer, with a replacement keyguard, has secret compartments at the back. This very rare piece, despite its substantial foreign influence, has kept a simplistic, elegant provincial appeal.
Estimate: PHP 320,000 - 350,000
Lot 184 of the Salcedo Auctions auction in November 2018. Please see www.salcedoauctions.com for more details.
Sheraton altar table
A Sheraton altar table
Last Quarter, 19th century, Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur
Narra with kamagong and lanite inlays
90 x 133 x 62.5 cm (35 x 52 x 25 in)
Santo Domingo in Ilocos Sur was famous not only for its sweet santol fruits and association with the the young Diego Silang, later to become a revolutionary leader, the town – due to its close proximity to the provincial capital, Vigan – has turned out rare pieces of furniture occasionally.
Famed English furniture maker Thomas Sheraton (b. 1751) inspired American cabinet maker Duncan Phyfe (b. 1768) to promote Neoclassicism in the United States, which eventually spilled over to the Philippines towards the mid-19th century. Evidences of these can be seen in this Sheraton-style altar table: the serpentine shape of the front of the mitered top that bows in the middle; the restrained use of inlays – in the broad Greek key pattern (similar to Chinese meandering) done in kamagong on the drawers, and in the bordered diamond pattern with dotted center that runs from the sides to the front using kamagong and lanite inlays; and the turned legs separated by turned rings that become the feet.
Local elements such as flower buds, inscribed six-petal flowers, and tongue-like pattern that can be found in many Ilocos pieces are also present here. Arched scrolls and C-scrolls define the shape of the side and front aprons. The middle drawer, with a replacement keyguard, has secret compartments at the back. This very rare piece, despite its substantial foreign influence, has kept a simplistic, elegant provincial appeal.
Estimate: PHP 320,000 - 350,000
Lot 184 of the Salcedo Auctions auction in November 2018. Please see www.salcedoauctions.com for more details.