Twelve-Sided Table
An imposing twelve-sided table
Estimate: PHP 1,200,000 - 1,400,000
First quarter, 20th century
Laguna
Narra and kamagong, kamagong inlays
83 x 224 x 224 cm (32 1/2 x 88 x 88 in)
Provenance:
Formerly from the family of Candelaria Moldes Santos, wife of Col. Leopoldo Santos, Philippine army and guerilla fighter during the Japanese occupation
Made in the Bilibid Prison which, from the early American colonial period until the end of the first half of the 20th century, manufactured high quality household and office furniture as part of its program to rehabilitate prisoners in preparation for their reintegration into mainstream society. Their outputs were arguably unrivaled in terms of craftsmanship, design and prolificity.
A rare 12-sided top, made of solid one-piece narra wood, framed by precious kamagong wood carved around the edges with acanthus gadrooning. To harvest wood with a girth this size - over 7 feet across when finished - the felled giant tree must be well over a hundred years old. Each conforming side of the frieze is carved with foliated scrolls centering an anthemion flower inscribed with C-volute. The heavy base is made of two crossed curule seat-shaped legs carved with foliated scrolls bordered by broad kamagong inlays, and undulate with winged rosettes, connected to a huge, turned central cylinder with flutings surmounted by scrolled arches and a finial. The lion’s paws with winged extensions embody immense strength and power.
Overall, the workmanship is quite remarkable, displaying great detailed carvings and decorations alluding to the Italian Neoclassical style that was popular in the early 19th century. A classic, timeless statement piece that will surely draw exclamations of surprise and admiration. Found in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
Lot 189 of the Salcedo Auctions auction on 18 March 2023. Please see www.salcedoauctions.com for more information.
Twelve-Sided Table
An imposing twelve-sided table
Estimate: PHP 1,200,000 - 1,400,000
First quarter, 20th century
Laguna
Narra and kamagong, kamagong inlays
83 x 224 x 224 cm (32 1/2 x 88 x 88 in)
Provenance:
Formerly from the family of Candelaria Moldes Santos, wife of Col. Leopoldo Santos, Philippine army and guerilla fighter during the Japanese occupation
Made in the Bilibid Prison which, from the early American colonial period until the end of the first half of the 20th century, manufactured high quality household and office furniture as part of its program to rehabilitate prisoners in preparation for their reintegration into mainstream society. Their outputs were arguably unrivaled in terms of craftsmanship, design and prolificity.
A rare 12-sided top, made of solid one-piece narra wood, framed by precious kamagong wood carved around the edges with acanthus gadrooning. To harvest wood with a girth this size - over 7 feet across when finished - the felled giant tree must be well over a hundred years old. Each conforming side of the frieze is carved with foliated scrolls centering an anthemion flower inscribed with C-volute. The heavy base is made of two crossed curule seat-shaped legs carved with foliated scrolls bordered by broad kamagong inlays, and undulate with winged rosettes, connected to a huge, turned central cylinder with flutings surmounted by scrolled arches and a finial. The lion’s paws with winged extensions embody immense strength and power.
Overall, the workmanship is quite remarkable, displaying great detailed carvings and decorations alluding to the Italian Neoclassical style that was popular in the early 19th century. A classic, timeless statement piece that will surely draw exclamations of surprise and admiration. Found in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
Lot 189 of the Salcedo Auctions auction on 18 March 2023. Please see www.salcedoauctions.com for more information.