León Gallery holds the Leon Exchange 32nd Online Auction featuring the legacy collections of the country’s prominent families and collectors, on July 27 and 28 at 11a.m.
Formerly from the ROMEO JORGE COLLECTION, SN 23 & SN 59, A Pair of Circa 1920’s Art Nouveau Settees, narra, with solohiya or cane weaving, 43 1/2” x 58” x 20” (110 cm x 147 cm x 51 cm) each
Formerly from the ROMEO JORGE COLLECTION, SN 784, A Circa 1920’s Mariposa Settee, narra with solohiya, 40 1/2” x 71” x 24” (103 cm x 180 cm x 61 cm)
Formerly from the ROMEO JORGE COLLECTION, SN 79, A Circa 1930’s Art Nouveu Settee, narra with solohiya, 20” x 53” x 20 1/2” (51 cm x 135 cm x 52 cm)
The collection of stalwart industrialist Romeo Jorge is on the block. He began collecting during the heyday of “treasure hunting” for Filipino art and antiques in the 1980s. The collection of this art connoisseur that is up for auction includes an Art Nouveau settee (circa 1930s), a Mariposa settee (circa 1920s), and a pair of Art Nouveau settees (circa 1920s).
From the DR. AND MRS. ROBERTO MACASAET COLLECTION, A Bust Depicting Buddah, ivory, 10 1/2” x 4 1/2” x 5 1/2”, (27 cm x 11 cm x 14 cm)
From the DR. AND MRS.ROBERTO MACASAET COLLECTION, A Relieve or Bas Relief, hardwood, 15 1/2” x 14 1/2” x 2”, (39 cm x 37 cm x 5 cm)
From the DR. AND MRS.ROBERTO MACASAET COLLECTION, A Carpet or Area Rug, machine, 48” x 26” (122 cm x 66 cm)
From the DR. AND MRS. ROBERTO MACASAET COLLECTION, A Pair of Korean Side Cabinets, hardwood and brass,22 1/4” x 31 1/4” x 16”, (57 cm x 79 cm x 41 cm) each
The collection of the recognized “Father of Philippine Healthcare” Dr. Roberto Macasaet is also worth the scrutiny. He and his wife collected religious and Oriental sculptures, furnishing, tableware, furniture, and carpets —a bas relief, a bust of Buddha, and a pair of Korean side cabinets, among others. These showed the fine taste of the Macasaets.
From the DON BERNARDO O. DAGALA COLLECTION, A Turn-of-the-Century Suite,, narra with Solohiya settee: 47 1/2” x 57” x 18” (121 cm x 145 cm x 46 cm), table: H: 29” (74 cm) D: 28” (71 cm), rocking chairs: 43” x 33” x 20” (109 cm x 84 cm x 51 cm) each, armchairs: 48” x 23” x 18” (122 cm x 58 cm x 46 cm) each, chairs: 45” x 16” x 18” (114 cm x 41 cm x 46 cm) each
Don Bernardo O. Dagala, known as the “Founding Father of Malabon,” left behind a classic turn-of-the-century suite which includes a settee, a table, rocking chairs, armchairs, and chairs made of narra, with state-of-the-art craftsmanship.
From the EUGENIO “GENY” LOPEZ JR. COLLECTION, Benedicto Cabrera (b. 1942), Nude, signed and dated 2002 (lower right), pastel on paper, 22″ x 33″ (56 cm x 84 cm)
From the EUGENIO “GENY” LOPEZ JR. COLLECTION, Tomas Concepcion (1933 – 2012), Nude, handsigned and dated 1981 (lower right), print 1/50, 27 1/2″ x 19″ (70 cm x 48 cm)
From the EUGENIO “GENY” LOPEZ JR. COLLECTION, Fred Baldemor (b. 1944), Nude, signed and dated 2001 (lower right), charcoal on paper, 20″ x 15″ (51 cm x 38 cm)
From the EUGENIO “GENY” LOPEZ JR. COLLECTION, Cesar Legaspi (1917 – 1994), Nude, signed and dated 1971 (lower left), charcoal on paper, 21 1/2″ x 14 1/2″ (55 cm x 37 cm)
The captain of Philippine business and industry Eugenio “Geny” Lopez, Jr. left behind a collection known for its range and the extensiveness of Philippine art. This auction offers his collection of sketches by National Artists, including BenCab (Benedicto Cabrera), Cesar Legaspi, and those of Fred Baldemor, Tomas Concepcion, all works entitled Nude.
From the EUGENIO “GENY” LOPEZ JR. COLLECTION, An “Olympic” Batangas Altar Table, 3rd quarter of the 19th-century (1850-75), Taal, Batangas, Balayonf wood (Afzelia rhomboides), L: 22” (56 cm), W: 49 ½” (126 cm), H: 37 ½” (95 cm)
This sale includes Kapitan Geny’s furniture collection, from the 19th-century to modernist classics. A highlight of his furniture collection is a 19th-century “Olympic” Batangas Mesa Altar from the third quarter of the 19th century.
Another notable highlight includes the historic fragments of the Malolos Tantoco-Reyes Mansion. The mansion was once the seat of Apolinario Mabini when he served as Emilio Aguinaldo’s Chief Adviser and Secretaria del Exterior. Many figures of Philippine history had walked through the doors of this mansion that serves as tangible memento of Philippine history.
Cesar Buenaventura (1922-1983), ‘Still Life,’ signed and dated 1970 (lower right), oil on canvas, 24″ x 36″ (61 cm x 91 cm)
Salvador Cabrera (1929 – 1986), ‘Boy Fishing’, signed and dated 1979 (lower right), oil on canvas, 24” x 36” (61 cm x 91 cm)
This auction brings attention to the Mabini Art movement, which has been underplayed in the history of Philippine art, a movement making a comeback in Philippine modern art history. It was a movement that produced the likes of Cesar Buenaventura, his tranquil representation of provincial life in his 1970 Still Life; Salvador Cabrera and his wide-eyed depiction of bucolic fishing life, in Boy Fishing (1979), J.D. Castro with his intimidating portrayal of the walled cities in his 1980 Postigo Gate, and Edgar Doctor and his ethereal 2023 Scarecrow. These artists’ works are in the auction.
Paco Gorospe (1939 – 2002), ‘Early Catch,’ signed (lower left and verso), oil on canvas 29″ x 29″ (74 cm x 74 cm)
Also from the Mabini Art movement, Paco Gorospe’s Early Catch portrays the bright and warm Filipino culture.
Zacarias Arevalo (ca. 1812 -1880), ‘La Coronacion De La Santisima Virgen Maria,’ ca.1840, oil on canvas, painting: 47″ x 28 1/2″ (119 cm x 72 cm), with frame: 76″ x 36 3/4″ x 16 1/2″ (193 cm x 93 cm x 42 cm), PROVENANCE Santa Cruz, Manila Distinguished Collector
Zacharias Arevalo’s mid-19th century depiction of the Santisima Trinidad crowning the Blessed Virgin Mary is a glimpse into the historical and religious atmosphere of mid-19th century Philippines, a good find for art and history lovers.
Patek Philippe Nautilus, Model: Nautilus, Reference number: Ref. 5726/1A. Self-winding mechanical movement. Caliber 26-330 S QA LU 24H. Day, date, month in apertures. Moon phases. 24hour indication. Sweep seconds hand. Movement: Automatic, Case material: Steel. Case diameter (104 o’clock): 40.5 mm. Height: 11.3 mm. Water-resistant to 30 m. Screw-down crown. Sapphire crystal case back. Bracelet material: Steel. Patented fold-over clasp with lockable adjustment system. Year of production: 2022, Condition: Unworn (Mint condition, without signs of wear), Complete With Original Box & Papers
Patek Philippe Aquanaut, Model: Aquanaut, Reference number: Ref. 5167/1A., Self-winding mechanical movement. Caliber 26-330 S C. Date. Sweep seconds., Movement: Automatic, Case material: Stainless steel. Case diameter (10-4 o’clock): 40.8 mm. Height: 8.1 mm. Water-resistant to 30 m. Screwdown crown. Sapphire crystal case back., Bracelet material: Steel bracelet. Aquanaut fold-over clasp. Year of production: 2012. Condition: Unworn (Mint condition, without signs of wear), Complete With Original Box & Papers
The auction will also feature fine jewelry collections, luxury watches, including a Patek Philippe Aquanaut and a Patek Philippe Nautilus, elegant silverware, well-preserved religious artifacts and relieves, as well as finely-crafted furniture and elegant tableware.
To browse the online catalog, visit https://leon-gallery.com/. For further inquiries, email [email protected] or contact 8856 2781. Bidding begins at 11 AM and will be online at www.leonexchange.com.
