Silver Altar Card
A very rare 'Del Fuego' silver double-headed eagle altar card
Estimate: PHP 150,000 - 200,000
18th century
Manila
Silver, parcel gilt, repousséd, chased, engraved and mounted on a narra stand
31. 5 x 27 cm (12 x 11 in)
Made from sheet silver set on its original narra wood backing, the altar card was partially gilt using the ancient Del Fuego fire gilding method, and is a shining example of Philippine mastery of silversmithing of the 18th century. All aspects from the repoussé work and modeling of the eagles heads and crown to the chasing and engraving are executed with an exceptional quality of craftsmanship.
Altar cards were visual prompts or aids for the priest celebrant, during traditional Latin mass. One of a set of three, the card has the Latin verses of the Last Gospel (John 1:1-14) engraved in an oval cartouche held up by the intricately chased and engraved crowned double-headed Habsburg eagle representing the union of the Austrian and Spanish Habsburg thrones, the Habsburg also being patrons of the Augustinians.
Lot 162 of the Salcedo Auctions auction on 18 March 2023. Please see www.salcedoauctions.com for more information.
Silver Altar Card
A very rare 'Del Fuego' silver double-headed eagle altar card
Estimate: PHP 150,000 - 200,000
18th century
Manila
Silver, parcel gilt, repousséd, chased, engraved and mounted on a narra stand
31. 5 x 27 cm (12 x 11 in)
Made from sheet silver set on its original narra wood backing, the altar card was partially gilt using the ancient Del Fuego fire gilding method, and is a shining example of Philippine mastery of silversmithing of the 18th century. All aspects from the repoussé work and modeling of the eagles heads and crown to the chasing and engraving are executed with an exceptional quality of craftsmanship.
Altar cards were visual prompts or aids for the priest celebrant, during traditional Latin mass. One of a set of three, the card has the Latin verses of the Last Gospel (John 1:1-14) engraved in an oval cartouche held up by the intricately chased and engraved crowned double-headed Habsburg eagle representing the union of the Austrian and Spanish Habsburg thrones, the Habsburg also being patrons of the Augustinians.
Lot 162 of the Salcedo Auctions auction on 18 March 2023. Please see www.salcedoauctions.com for more information.