Sideboard -- Front
A sideboard / secret arms storage
Early 20th Century
Cavite
Narra, balayong and lanite with kamagong inlays
99 x 153 x 37 cm (39 x 60 1/3 x 14 1/2 in)
The Treaty of Paris in 1898 affected the end of Spanish rule, the start of the American occupation, and the dissolution of the First Philippine Republic. In early 1899 the Filipinos continued their struggle for independence against the new colonizers, but by the closing months of that year the Philippine army became disorganized and no longer a regular fighting force, and turning into guerrilla units and resorting to unconventional war tactics like ambush and concealment. When the war ended in 1902 the hostilities never completely ceased, as other groups continued the war in remote areas and islands until the final defeat at the Battle of the Bud Bagsak in 1913. It was during this atmosphere of continued insurrection and uneasy peace that this sideboard in narra wood with a secret storage could have been made to hide weaponry. Commissioned most probably by an active katipunero or a silent supporter, this small sideboard – measuring only in 15-1/4 inches deep at the center – was designed to hold a significant amount of arms. It would be placed against the wall to conceal its purpose and could be pulled away from the wall to access its open back.
The serpentine-shaped top is made of one piece narra with double lanite and kamagong border inlays, some of which have been lost or have risen in some areas. The three curved drawers have turned knobs. The original drawers would have been lost as there are no keyholes present, but there are hollowed out holes under the table top to catch the latch of the locking mechanism; however, these drawers are very old replacements and the patina matches with the rest of the sideboard. There is a drawer floor, a feature usually found only in high-end pieces. The elegant hanging apron has a scrolling arch and scallop with two bell finials, which continues around the sides. The grooved, protruding fascia below simulates the shape of the sideboard top, decorated with an equally beautiful railing with two inverted bell finials between a bonnet top with urn finial, a popular pediment design in Roman and Baroque architecture. The front appears to have three raised carved door panels but these do not open on purpose. The dividers between these panels and the four corners are chamfered which terminate with six ball feet including the additional two in front.
Estimate: PHP 100,000 - 150,000
Lot 47 of the Salcedo Auctions auction on 25 November 2017. Please see www.salcedoauctions.com for more information.
Sideboard -- Front
A sideboard / secret arms storage
Early 20th Century
Cavite
Narra, balayong and lanite with kamagong inlays
99 x 153 x 37 cm (39 x 60 1/3 x 14 1/2 in)
The Treaty of Paris in 1898 affected the end of Spanish rule, the start of the American occupation, and the dissolution of the First Philippine Republic. In early 1899 the Filipinos continued their struggle for independence against the new colonizers, but by the closing months of that year the Philippine army became disorganized and no longer a regular fighting force, and turning into guerrilla units and resorting to unconventional war tactics like ambush and concealment. When the war ended in 1902 the hostilities never completely ceased, as other groups continued the war in remote areas and islands until the final defeat at the Battle of the Bud Bagsak in 1913. It was during this atmosphere of continued insurrection and uneasy peace that this sideboard in narra wood with a secret storage could have been made to hide weaponry. Commissioned most probably by an active katipunero or a silent supporter, this small sideboard – measuring only in 15-1/4 inches deep at the center – was designed to hold a significant amount of arms. It would be placed against the wall to conceal its purpose and could be pulled away from the wall to access its open back.
The serpentine-shaped top is made of one piece narra with double lanite and kamagong border inlays, some of which have been lost or have risen in some areas. The three curved drawers have turned knobs. The original drawers would have been lost as there are no keyholes present, but there are hollowed out holes under the table top to catch the latch of the locking mechanism; however, these drawers are very old replacements and the patina matches with the rest of the sideboard. There is a drawer floor, a feature usually found only in high-end pieces. The elegant hanging apron has a scrolling arch and scallop with two bell finials, which continues around the sides. The grooved, protruding fascia below simulates the shape of the sideboard top, decorated with an equally beautiful railing with two inverted bell finials between a bonnet top with urn finial, a popular pediment design in Roman and Baroque architecture. The front appears to have three raised carved door panels but these do not open on purpose. The dividers between these panels and the four corners are chamfered which terminate with six ball feet including the additional two in front.
Estimate: PHP 100,000 - 150,000
Lot 47 of the Salcedo Auctions auction on 25 November 2017. Please see www.salcedoauctions.com for more information.