Celebration of Filipinos’ instinctive yearning for beauty

BenCab’s Running Women

Aside from buying real estate properties for future investments, acquiring artworks by either renowned artists or fresh ones in the industry could be another avenue to double or triple your investment.

Art, furniture and other home décor enhance any home or office interiors while the owner is waiting for them to appreciate in value. If you are on the lookout for an art piece to display in your home, check out Salcedo Auctions’ annual sale happening today and tomorrow at the Peninsula Manila.

In the six years that Salcedo Auctions has staged its highly anticipated The Well-Appointed Life event, the annual sale has become one of the country’s most trusted sources for good taste and great art.

Bu’lul with a bird on its head

This year’s thoughtfully curated line-up of auction lots is, as Richie Lerma, the company’s chairman and chief specialist, puts it, “inspired by the evolutionary, and sometimes revolutionary, aspects of art history and the celebration of the Filipino’s instinctive yearning for beauty.”

It is clear that Philippine talent and cultural sensibilities lie at the heart of the sale.

Everything on offer is selected to draw an emotional response, or at the very least, a deep appreciation for passionate and artistic pursuits.

This is particularly true with the Connoisseur Collection—one of four main categories in this auction event—a section filled with rare furniture, antiques, historical artifacts and treasured heirlooms.

During an exclusive dinner preview this past week held at Salcedo Auctions’ new headquarters along Ayala Avenue, I had a chance to see some of the exceptional pieces including a marvelously preserved 19th century Calvary tableau with antique ivory figures with 24k gold-filled accoutrements set in a gilded kamagong display. This masterpiece is a testament to our deep devotions and not only to our faith but also our crafts.

A four-poster Ah Tay bed with ingeniously carved young and mature dayap fruit motif on the canopy.

Another fantastic piece is a four-poster Ah Tay bed with ingeniously carved young and mature dayap fruit motif on the canopy. A 19th c. Carlos Trece chair suite completes the bedroom or living room interior. This masterfully crafted chair suite offers a more dignified sitting with its upright back and impeccable classical details. Rare maps and indigenous wooden sculptures known as bu’luls would make any library or study well appointed.

A standout here is an extremely rare 19th century map of Formosa, now known as the republic of Taiwan as well as a charming male-seated figure (bu’lul) with a bird on its head—the perfect foyer conversation piece. The Connoisseur Collection also has impressive pieces to offer to rare book collectors, such as a three-volume set of “La Ilustración Filipina”—regarded as one of the most important sources of news and information at the time, both for local and international affairs—covering the years 1891, 1892, 1893 and 1894.

Nineteenth century Calvary tableau with antique ivory figures and 24k gold-filled accoutrements set in a gilded kamagong display

To complete your well-appointed interior is a large 2017 limited edition tapestry by National Artist BenCab entitled “Running Women”—at 8×10 feet, it’s the perfect piece to hang on that large white wall you’ve been meaning to fill.

BenCab collaborated with Moooi Carpets once again and will launch BenCab + Moooi Carpets Series 7 next week. The new wall carpets will be on view at the Peninsula Manila until Oct. 13.

The Well-Appointed Life 2019 is also symbolic as Salcedo Auctions has moved into its new home at NEX Tower on Ayala Avenue this year. The building lobby has the tallest indoor wall garden. The sleek new space has its own private entrance from the impressive lobby. Always showcasing exceptional pieces, Salcedo Auctions showroom is the perfect backdrop for the best the Philippines has to offer, and it’s exciting to see what the auction house has in store for its almost 700 sqm auction and exhibition space.

An extremely rare 19th century map of Formosa, now known as the republic of Taiwan.