San Miguel in Ivory (Detail)
An exhibition piece de gozne ivory ‘San Miguel Arkanghel’ figure with gold and silver accoutrements
ESTIMATE: PHP 1,500,000 - 1,800,000
Early 19th century
Manila
Ivory head, hands, legs; gold wings, helmet, shield, and closed-toe boots; silver sword; lightwood San Miguel’s mannequin body, devil figure, and base; polychrome and gesso
Without stand: 33 x 18 x 14 cm (13 x 7 x 5 1/2 in)
With stand: 42 x 18.5 x 14.5 cm (16 1/2 x 7 1/4 x 5 3/4 in)
Literature:
Regalado Trota Jose, Images of Faith: Religious Ivory Carvings from the Philippines, 1990, p. 92
Exhibition:
"Images of Faith: Religious Ivory Carvings from the Philippines," 1990, USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena
Provenance:
Collection of Johnny Ramirez, Manila
San Miguel Arkanghel, or St. Michael the Archangel, is most popularly depicted in Christian art as the armored angel with sword and shield, trampling Satan beneath his feet. This exquisite santo stands out for its exceptional craftsmanship, high-quality materials, notable former owner, and feature in a book published over 30 years ago. Its well-carved, well-preserved ivory head, arms, and legs are mounted on a de gozne or mannequin body. The detailed chasing and repoussé work in precious gold and silver are evident in the helmet—resembling a cuirass—along with the scaled-down sword with its wavy blade and crossguard, the buckler shield, closed-toe boots, and a pair of wings. San Miguel’s compassionate expression and overall pale, neutral tones contrast beautifully with the bemused, mischievous look of the dark-painted devil, emphasizing the universal theme of Good over Evil—a hopeful reminder that goodness always triumphs.
This santo was one of Johnny Ramirez’s most prized acquisitions and had always had a special place on top of an exquisite kamagong chest of drawers in the sitting room of his luxurious penthouse condominium unit in the metropolis. He lent this santo to the Pacific Asia Museum for their second major exhibition on religious ivories in 1990, and it appeared in the accompanying exhibition catalog.
Lot 710 of the Salcedo Auctions online and live auction on 27 September 2025. For more information and to place an online bid, please go to salcedoauctions.com.
San Miguel in Ivory (Detail)
An exhibition piece de gozne ivory ‘San Miguel Arkanghel’ figure with gold and silver accoutrements
ESTIMATE: PHP 1,500,000 - 1,800,000
Early 19th century
Manila
Ivory head, hands, legs; gold wings, helmet, shield, and closed-toe boots; silver sword; lightwood San Miguel’s mannequin body, devil figure, and base; polychrome and gesso
Without stand: 33 x 18 x 14 cm (13 x 7 x 5 1/2 in)
With stand: 42 x 18.5 x 14.5 cm (16 1/2 x 7 1/4 x 5 3/4 in)
Literature:
Regalado Trota Jose, Images of Faith: Religious Ivory Carvings from the Philippines, 1990, p. 92
Exhibition:
"Images of Faith: Religious Ivory Carvings from the Philippines," 1990, USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena
Provenance:
Collection of Johnny Ramirez, Manila
San Miguel Arkanghel, or St. Michael the Archangel, is most popularly depicted in Christian art as the armored angel with sword and shield, trampling Satan beneath his feet. This exquisite santo stands out for its exceptional craftsmanship, high-quality materials, notable former owner, and feature in a book published over 30 years ago. Its well-carved, well-preserved ivory head, arms, and legs are mounted on a de gozne or mannequin body. The detailed chasing and repoussé work in precious gold and silver are evident in the helmet—resembling a cuirass—along with the scaled-down sword with its wavy blade and crossguard, the buckler shield, closed-toe boots, and a pair of wings. San Miguel’s compassionate expression and overall pale, neutral tones contrast beautifully with the bemused, mischievous look of the dark-painted devil, emphasizing the universal theme of Good over Evil—a hopeful reminder that goodness always triumphs.
This santo was one of Johnny Ramirez’s most prized acquisitions and had always had a special place on top of an exquisite kamagong chest of drawers in the sitting room of his luxurious penthouse condominium unit in the metropolis. He lent this santo to the Pacific Asia Museum for their second major exhibition on religious ivories in 1990, and it appeared in the accompanying exhibition catalog.
Lot 710 of the Salcedo Auctions online and live auction on 27 September 2025. For more information and to place an online bid, please go to salcedoauctions.com.