León Gallery’s Leonexchange online platform will hold the Summer Auction 2020 on April 25, 11 a.m. Bidding is to be done online at www.leonexchange.com.
The auction will benefit the Helping Women & Others, a charity chaired by Libet Virata.
Jonathan Matti, Pepito Albert and Mark Wilson are curating the auction and the pieces are hand-picked from their personal collections as well as from distinguished collections of J. Antonio Araneta and Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco.
Almost 400 lots, including paintings (from watercolor to oil), sculptures, jade ornaments, rice gods, ancient church beams and candle holders, sapphire, ruby and diamond jewelry, furniture and ivory, will be on auction.
Among the finds are a rare set of “Blair and Robertson” volumes of historical documents that shaped the Philippines. The original 55-book set was published from 1903 through 1909 by the Arthur H. Clark Company in Cleveland, Ohio. No more than 500 sets were printed and sold between 1903 and 1909. Described as a monumental undertaking, it covers 1493 to 1898 and was translated by Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson, a director of the National Library of the Philippines. This edition is numbered and bound in handsome brown leather.
“Perfect to be read amidst a backdrop of fine furniture,” said León Gallery director Jaime Ponce de Leon, “several thought to be from the Ah Tay workshop, including a four-poster bed with signature squash details and a majestic aparador (wardrobe).”
A 19th-century Laguna mesa altar would make a stunning salon piece. A bishop’s chair in dark kamagong, in excellent condition, is also a must-have. More modern pieces from the 20th century are included, desks, telephone tables and several sets of dining chairs in a variety of styles.
Contemporary artists on offer include Geraldine Javier (represented by a mirror covered in hand-embroidery and a rampant scarab); a contemplative work in urban gray and sun yellow by Angel Ulama; several sculptures by Andres Barrioquinto, Iya Consorio, Luis Lorenzana, Christian Tamondong, Leeroy New, Jason Montinola and Brian Uhing.
There is also a limited-edition print of a mysterious man by Claudio Bravo, with both front and back of his graceful head in two separate frames. Other paper works include those from Ryan VIllamael that resemble intricately cut armor. Portraits by Mia Herbosa are also part of the auction; ditto with works by Fernando Amorsolo, Onib Olmedo, Arturo Luz, Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Hernando R. Ocampo, Manuel Baldemor, Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, and Macario Vitalis.
Solomon Saprid’s “Lady on a Horse” is also featured.
To view virtual gallery: https://www.hivemindgalleries.space/leon-gallery. To view e-catalogue: www.leon-gallery.com/e-catalogue.
