Now on its eighth edition, Salcedo Auctions’ “The Well-Appointed Life” offers serious collectors artworks by such celebrated artists as Manansala, Ang Kiukok, BenCab and Amorsolo. It also features antique furniture pieces, the largest Zalameda ever to be auctioned off, as well as Fernando Zobel’s first painting.
For arts and antiques connoisseurs, it’s again the time of the year, as all roads lead to Salcedo Auctions’ Makati address for this year’s “The Well-Appointed Life” (opening on September 17, with auction preview by invitation only on September 8). Now on its eighth edition, Salcedo Auction’s marquee event boasts of works of 13 of the country’s 17 National Artists, including Vicente Manansala, Ang Kiukok, and BenCab.
Vicente Manansala, untitled (vendors), 1978, oil on canvas
Fernando Amorsolo, “The Burning of Manila,” 1946, oil on board
Ang Kiukok, “Bananas # 4,” 1957, oil on wood
Other noteworthy auction pieces include Fernando Zobel’s first painting and the largest Oscar Zalameda offered for bidding.
Since its founding in 2010, Salcedo Auctions prides itself of having channeled its efforts to showcasing artworks of historic and aesthetic significance, “each piece redefining the milieus and spaces that they inhabit to epitomize the power of art and the connoisseur-collector to shape ‘The Worlds We Create.’”
Manansala’s untitled depiction of vendors shows the artist’s bold yet tender visual vocabulary showcasing not only the allure of Neo-realist Cubism, but also the sumptuously laden mood and festive palette of a quintessential Philippine scene. Zalameda’s untitled fiesta-themed canvas is just as vibrant, which, at 63 1/2 x 119 inches, stands quite possibly as the largest work by the artist remaining in private hands and certainly the biggest to ever be offered at auction to date.
Mauro Malang Santos, “Yellow Vendor,” 1985, acrylic on canvas
Romulo Olazo, “Diaphanous 71719,” 2010, acrylic on canvas
Fernando Zóbel, untitled (bodegón), 1948, oil on canvas backed on board
Fans of Ang Kiukok, meanwhile, will delight in the artist’s early works exhibited at the eminent Philippine Art Gallery: “Bananas #3’ and ‘Bananas #4”, owned by ex-CIA agent, USAID director, diplomat and published author Rufus Phillips. Both will go under the hammer this September, along with three other significant Kiukok oils and watercolors, namely “Crucifixion”, “Watermelon” and “Window with Potted Plant.”
In the past, Fernando Amorsolo’s signature light regularly graced “The Well-Appointed Life” sale, gaining top hammer prices in the process. For this edition, though, collectors will have the opportunity to acquire a rare work from the artist’s war period with Amorsolo’s “The Burning of Manila.” The artwork’s brooding palette is in stark contrast with the artist’s post-war oeuvre. Similarly, collectors of Nena Saguil’s abstracts will have an opportunity to acquire an unusual red early Paris-period piece by the artist.
In the same vein, the auction house has had remarkable success with works by rivals Juan Luna y Novicio and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, to build a reputation as the world’s premier resource for pieces by the two artists. At the auction, samples of their masterful works await their next home where the new owners can marvel at the power of Luna and Hidalgo’s artistry across different mediums.
An exquisite Ah Tay bed with “granada” fruit motif, 19th century, narra wood and woven solihiya cane
Patek Philippe, Nautilus Ref. 5711/R
In the same vein, the auction house has had remarkable success with works by rivals Juan Luna y Novicio and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, to build a reputation as the world’s premier resource for pieces by the two artists. At the auction, samples of their masterful works await their next home where the new owners can marvel at the power of Luna and Hidalgo’s artistry across different mediums.
“The Well-Appointed Life” live and online auction will take place on Saturday, 17 September, 2022 at 2PM. Register to bid and browse the catalog at salcedoauctions.com. The auction preview begins on Friday, 9 September and runs daily from 9AM-5PM at NEX Tower, 6786 Ayala Avenue, Makati City. For inquiries, email info@salcedoauctions.com or phone +632 8 8230956 | +63 917 591 2191. Follow @salcedoauctions on Instagram and Facebook for updates.
