The Finer Pursuits: Important Philippine Art & Rare Collectibles live and online auction concluded with the milestone sale of Ang Kiukok’s large oil-on-canvas Man and Dog at PHP28,032,000, making it the highest sale for any work of the National Artist in recent history. The rest of his masterpieces on offer also fetched impressive prices, reaffirming his status as one of the most sought after artists in the country.
Finer Pursuits is Salcedo Auctions’ second marquee sale of the year, held last Saturday, 3 June 2023. It drew an impressive gathering of bidders—both old-timers and young blood—that produced a vibrant sale room ambiance.
The afternoon also celebrated a first world record for Alberto Carmelo, the 20th century Filipino renaissance man and connoisseur of the finest pursuits. His Farewell at Barcelona Port went beyond expectations, selling at PHP1,752,000.
Besides having almost all of his glass masterpieces sold at the auction, master sculptor Ramon Orlina also earned a new milestone for his diptych Twin Peaks of Triumph that was sold at PHP8,409,600, resetting the artist’s price standard based on size.
Also setting milestone records were National Artist Arturo Luz, whose works sold out, starting with his Carnival Forms No. 14 at PHP 6,424,000, and paintings of contemporary artist Mark Justiniani, with both Kwintas and Gayuma selling for over PHP 2 million each. The masterpieces of Félix Resurrección Hidalgo and Juan Luna y Novicio also sold well above their estimates.
The five-hour-long auction also fetched impressive results for the Ming style Batangas tables, the Ah Tay beds, and the prestigious furniture from the principalia family of Lucban, Quezon. Indigenous martial weapons were a hit, as well as the ethnographic objects from different parts of the Philippines. Perhaps the highlight of the bidding battles was a square-off between a long-time patron and a young bidder guided by his parents, over a lot of daggers, only for their rally to be disrupted by an online bidder.
Old-timers and the young blood gather at Salcedo Auctions as its chairman, chief specialist, and auctioneer Richie Lerma opens the bidding for Ramon Orlina’s ‘Contented Family.’
It was also an online bidder who won the 19th century 18k gold Rococo period imperial crown for the Blessed Virgin Mary for PHP 1,051,200 or 257 percent over its estimate sale—the high point of the second half of the sale, proving that physical absence does not dampen a connoisseur’s passion for the arts.
Salcedo Auctions’ results are verifiable prices, following its aim to play the leading role as the trusted arbiter and barometer of the Philippine art market.
Consignments to the forthcoming Well-Appointed Life live and online auction in September 2023 are being accepted. Consignment offers may be made via . For further inquiries, send an email to info@salcedoauctions.com or call tel nos. +63 917 825 7449, +63 917 591 2191, or +63 917 107 5581.
