Pair of Ramilletes
A pair of very rare silver ramilletes or altar bouquet, presented on a custom base
Estimate: PHP 100,000 - 140,000
3rd quarter, 19th century
Manila
Silver, dark kamagong wood
Without stand: 38.5 x 25 cm (15 x 9 3/4 in) each
With stand: 52 x 25 cm (20 1/4 x 9 3/4 in) each
Due to the scarcity of fresh cut flowers during the Spanish period, silver ramilletes were used instead to decorate important colonial church altars. They would shine and dazzle tremulously when hit by light. Made of meticulously hand-hammered and twisted silver in the Naturalistic style, they appear to be a small flock of magpies happily perched on plum blossoms, a popular Chinese composition that symbolizes an expression of a good wish. This type of ramillete is unusual and very rare.
Lot 262 of the Salcedo Auctions live and online auction on 8 March 2025. For more information and to place an online bid, please see www.salcedoauctions.com
Pair of Ramilletes
A pair of very rare silver ramilletes or altar bouquet, presented on a custom base
Estimate: PHP 100,000 - 140,000
3rd quarter, 19th century
Manila
Silver, dark kamagong wood
Without stand: 38.5 x 25 cm (15 x 9 3/4 in) each
With stand: 52 x 25 cm (20 1/4 x 9 3/4 in) each
Due to the scarcity of fresh cut flowers during the Spanish period, silver ramilletes were used instead to decorate important colonial church altars. They would shine and dazzle tremulously when hit by light. Made of meticulously hand-hammered and twisted silver in the Naturalistic style, they appear to be a small flock of magpies happily perched on plum blossoms, a popular Chinese composition that symbolizes an expression of a good wish. This type of ramillete is unusual and very rare.
Lot 262 of the Salcedo Auctions live and online auction on 8 March 2025. For more information and to place an online bid, please see www.salcedoauctions.com