Altar Table
An 18th century grotesque ‘Dinemonyo’ altar table
Estimate: PHP 900,000 - 950,000
Manila
18th century
Wood
84 x 110 x 72 cm (33 x 43 x 28 ½ in)
Made of highly prized indigenous rosewood known as balayong (Afzelia rhomboidea), it has a reddish brown color that tends to darken even more with age, and has a natural luster. Very difficult to work with due to its durability and interlocking grain. The craftsmanship and condition of this table is comparable to similar tables kept in museums and top-notch private collections.
Called colloquially as dinemonyo table, it is one of the most elusive pieces of early Hispano-Filipino furniture, considered arguably as the pinnacle object to many serious furniture collectors and connoisseurs. An authentic example with original members, it is an extremely rare find.
The rectangular paneled top is enclosed by a frame with ice-plate edge to soften the edges and disguise its thickness. Below are two large drawers fitted with umbrella bosses, ornate protective key plates, and O-ring pulls. Reinforced by flanges and aprons with conforming billowing, cloud-like outlines that connect the demonyo masks on all four corners. These finely carved masks have raised fluted top hair, bulging eyes, prominent nose, mouth agape revealing some teeth and fangs, and scrolling facial hair. The cabriole legs show the delineations of a lion’s lower leg before terminating in deep, highly detailed ball and claw foot grasping a ball, resting on round-edged stretchers surmounted on ogee feet. Assembled using ancient Chinese mortise and tenon (closed and through types), as well as dovetail joints that have remained firm and strong.
Lot 242 of the Salcedo Auctions Gavel & Block auction on 6 May 2023. Please see www.salcedoauctions.com for more information.
Altar Table
An 18th century grotesque ‘Dinemonyo’ altar table
Estimate: PHP 900,000 - 950,000
Manila
18th century
Wood
84 x 110 x 72 cm (33 x 43 x 28 ½ in)
Made of highly prized indigenous rosewood known as balayong (Afzelia rhomboidea), it has a reddish brown color that tends to darken even more with age, and has a natural luster. Very difficult to work with due to its durability and interlocking grain. The craftsmanship and condition of this table is comparable to similar tables kept in museums and top-notch private collections.
Called colloquially as dinemonyo table, it is one of the most elusive pieces of early Hispano-Filipino furniture, considered arguably as the pinnacle object to many serious furniture collectors and connoisseurs. An authentic example with original members, it is an extremely rare find.
The rectangular paneled top is enclosed by a frame with ice-plate edge to soften the edges and disguise its thickness. Below are two large drawers fitted with umbrella bosses, ornate protective key plates, and O-ring pulls. Reinforced by flanges and aprons with conforming billowing, cloud-like outlines that connect the demonyo masks on all four corners. These finely carved masks have raised fluted top hair, bulging eyes, prominent nose, mouth agape revealing some teeth and fangs, and scrolling facial hair. The cabriole legs show the delineations of a lion’s lower leg before terminating in deep, highly detailed ball and claw foot grasping a ball, resting on round-edged stretchers surmounted on ogee feet. Assembled using ancient Chinese mortise and tenon (closed and through types), as well as dovetail joints that have remained firm and strong.
Lot 242 of the Salcedo Auctions Gavel & Block auction on 6 May 2023. Please see www.salcedoauctions.com for more information.