Nearly 300 important artworks, rare objects up for bids September 14
As soon as we stepped through the glass door of Salcedo Auctions at NEX Tower on Ayala Avenue, Makati, Ang Kiukok’s “Horse” came into view. The mere sight of the dynamic oil painting by the late National Artist for visual arts—estimated to fetch between P15 million and P16 million at “The Well-Appointed Life” live and online auction come Sept. 14—bodes well for the rest of the collection.
Not that Salcedo Auctions was even likely to disappoint. In the past 14 years, it has gained a well-earned reputation for quality and discernment.
As we turn to the side, there’s a Fernando Zobel, a Jose Joya and an H.R. Ocampo. The unassuming six-seater molave bench at the center is a Napoleon Abueva. Further in are works by Mauro Malang, Carlos “Botong” Francisco, Cesar Legaspi, Ronald Ventura, BenCab, Arturo Luz, Juvenal Sanso, Fernando Amorsolo, Anita Magsaysay-Ho—each name as eye-popping as the next.
Salcedo Auctions chair and chief specialist Richie Lerma himself gushed over the collection, noting the works from various periods. “We have it all: From the 1949 Amorsolo to the works of Legaspi. Zobel, who is celebrating his 100th birth anniversary, we have two works of his. We have several Ocampos in the sale, one from the 1950s which belongs to the Guevarra Collection, and we also have three major BenCabs, one of them from 1970, from the Glenda Jackson Collection, a smaller 2000 ‘Sabel’ and a big 2008 ‘Sabel.’”
‘Largest Malang’
“The Malang is gorgeous,” he added, saying that “Woman” has everything that one looks for in a Malang: the elegant woman, the scapular, the flowers, the setting, the brilliant colors, all in that large canvas. “If I’m not mistaken, that’s the largest Malang to go to auction and it’s here!”
Of course, many of the artworks come with their respective certificate of authenticity; or if not, a note about the provenance, to give the assurance of their legitimacy to collectors. However, Lerma believed there might not be a need for these certificates of authenticity in the future since the issue of artists’ resale rights arose.
Salcedo Auctions itself has been cognizant of artists’ rights and have had their royalty built into their contracts even before resale rights became an issue. But Lerma asserted that enforcing it would be a welcome move.
According to him, since artists will be required to register their works with the Intellectual Property Office to be able to claim their royalty rights, it adds an extra layer of assurance of authenticity for the pieces.
Intellectual property
Aside from that, Lerma said it also encourages artists to be professional and methodical. “It is their intellectual property and no one else but they should ensure that for them and for their families.”
Along with the masterpieces are also numerous historical items like a set of bejeweled ivory head and hands of the Immaculada Concepcion from the 19th century, and the hagabi, which is a status symbol in Igorot society announcing that one has “arrived.”
This year’s theme, “The Life that Shines Within,” proves what Lerma said: “When you sow good seeds, opportunities blossom.”
“It’s a product of hard work, the conviction in what we do and being able to attract the right audience and right partners as well,” said Lerma, also stressing that providing a disinterested assessment when judging the value of pieces further earned enduring respect for the auction house.
“I think the way we do things is what sets our auctions apart. People can discern the quality of the pieces in the way things are presented,” added Lerma. “Whatever light that is emanated by our hopes and dreams for Philippine art or the art that we present speaks for itself.”
As a result, sellers go to them, and they’ve gained the privilege of being able to pick and choose what they would like to present at the country’s longest-running prestige auction.
Davao preview
In its bid to become a “truly national auction house,” Salcedo Auctions also opened its first preview in Davao days prior to the one held in Metro Manila. “That’s a first in the Philippines, and it really is part of our vision,” he said.
“I wanted to make a point,” he said. “We’re an archipelago of, what, around 120 million people. Manila’s just a percentage of that. There are people in Mindanao and, of course, the rest of the country who have the taste and the capacity to be acquiring these kinds of things.”
The Manila vernissage, just the same, was gloriously received. The preview not only gave bidders a glimpse of what is on offer, but also extended a rare chance to see the masterpieces and rare historical objects up close before they go back into someone else’s private collection.
Nearly 300 pieces will be up for bidding in this edition of “The Well-Appointed Life,” including important Philippine art, fine furniture, Philippine colonial furniture, ethnographic and tribal art, and other valuable collectibles, as well as jewelry and timepieces.
Live and online auction happens at 2 p.m. on Sept. 14 at Salcedo Auctions, NEX Tower, Podium Level, 6786 Ayala Avenue, Makati City (tel. 88230956 or 86594094; email info@salcedoauctions.com). To bid, visit bit.ly/TWALsep2024.
