VINTAGE paintings, antiques, historical documents, sculptures, stylish furniture and other objets d’art will be up for grabs at the forthcoming art auction of León Gallery in Makati City, an annual event to raise funds for the Fellows of the Asian Art Council (AAC) Philippines.

The auction will be held at the gallery on Feb. 20 starting 2 p.m., but there will be a preview Feb. 13-19.

This was announced at a recent press conference at Milky Way Restaurant in Makati. Among those present were Jaime L. Ponce de León of León Gallery and Malu A. Gamboa of ACC.

It is presumed that Manila’s art collectors will be awaiting the event with bated breath. Some of them are publicity shy, prefer to remain anonymous and just send representatives to bid for them.

Over 200 items will be up for bidding, including rare paintings, sculptures, antiques, santo, maps, photographs, furniture and historical documents. The latter include a letter from Leonora Lansing, a “lover” of Rizal, to his brother Paciano; a book dedicated by Juan Luna to his brother Antonio, the now famous “Heneral Luna”; and a rare copy of the so-called third novel by Rizal (“Makamisa”).

There are works by National Artist Ben Cabrera (BenCab), Roberto Chabet, Elmer Borlongan and Manny Garibay. Other vintage paintings include a portrait of the Araneta matriarch (Doña Carmen) by Vicente Manansala; and works by Anita Magsaysay-Ho (mother and child), National Artist Arturo Luz (circa 1950s); and a “very large” painting by Lee Aguinaldo. There’s a 14th-century bolo (bladed weapon).

There are now over 300 fellows, including national artists, who have received grants for cultural exchange programs in the United States and Asia. “We have to continue this tradition,” said Gamboa.

Auction will be on Feb 20, 2 p.m. Access catalogue at www.leon.gallery.com.

10 best lots

‘MOTHER and Child’ by Anita Magsaysay-Ho (1914-2012)

Signed and dated 1943; oil on wood; 16” x 13 3/4” (41 cm x 35 cm)

‘MAGBABANIG,’ by   Arturo Luz (b.1926)

Signed 1952; oil on wood; 27 1/2” x 15 1/4” (70 cm x 39 cm)

‘VULCANIZING Shop,’ by Elmer Borlongan (b.1967)

Signed and dated 2000; oil on canvas; 60” x 36” (152 cm x 91 cm)

‘PORTRAIT of J. Antonio Araneta,’ by Fernando Amorsolo (1892-1972); signed and dated 1952; oil on canvas; 38” x 28” (97 cm x 71 cm)

‘UNTITLED,’ Jose John Santos III (b.1970);

Signed and dated 2001; oil on canvas; 36” x 58 1/2” (91 cm x 149 cm)

‘LIQUID Light,’ by Lao Lianben (b.1948);

Signed and dated 1994; mixed mediums on burlap; 95” x 72” (241 cm x 183 cm)

‘LINEAR Explosion No. 2.’ Lee Aguinaldo (1933-2007)

Signed, titled, and dated 1959 (in verso); oil on board, 48” x 72” (122 cm x 183 cm)

‘THE SUMMON of Emperor Fragile with the Green Yuki Girls,’ by Luis Lorenzana (b.1979)

Signed and dated 2010; oil on canvas 48” x 36” (122 cm x 91 cm)

‘THE APARTMENT,’ by Onib Olmedo (1937-1996)

Signed and dated, 1992; ink and acrylic on board; 62 1/4” x 43” (158 cm x 109 cm)

‘LOST Race,’ by Ronald Ventura (b.1973)

Signed and dated 2002; mixed media 48” x 40” (122 cm x 102 cm)