“Barrio Scene” by Diosdado Lorenzo
Have you ever wondered what kind of furniture, plates and other household staples President Manuel L. Quezon was into? Now, with the Leòn Exchange Online Auction Edition 12 under the Leonexchange platform, you’ll find out.
To be held on July 20 and 21, starting at 11:00 a.m., the contents of the famous residence of President Quezon and his First Lady, Doña Aurora, at #45 Gilmore Avenue in New Manila, Quezon City are up for auction on Leòn Gallery’s official website.
“One can indulge his or her taste for the beautiful items at various price points at the upcoming online auction and all that from one’s armchair or boudoir,” says Leòn Gallery Director Jaime Ponce de Leon. “The online auction gives clients the convenience of bidding through their mobiles, tablets or laptops, without having to trek all the way to where physical auctions happen.”
The home was a silent witness to history, as one could surmise. It was also, in fact, the couple’s weekend home. Quezon had purchased the 151-sq.m. property back in 1935 from the owner of the vast 155-hectare Magdalena Estates in New Manila, Mrs. Magdalena Hemady, on an installment basis.
A reconstructed version of the property called the “Quezon Heritage House,” now stands on a 771-sq.m. lot within the Quezon Memorial Circle. Among the pieces from the original house along Gilmore Avenue are the doors, memorabilia, window grills and furniture.
On one side of the dining room, there is a cabinet that contains sets of glassware. The set of silver claret cups, dessert bowls and punch-bowl goblets are included in the upcoming auction, as well. The items are all monogrammed with the former president’s initials, “MLQ.”
Meanwhile, at the back of the house is a rectangular pool and further down is a pavilion where the Quezons would entertain friends and family during the pre-war years (the set of silver was used in the actual parties).
“100 Flowers Bloom” by Andres Barrioquinto
An untitled Macario Vitalis piece
“Binondo Church” by Elias Laxa
As for the paintings in the auction, these include a large 6×5 feet oil painting by Andres Barrioquinto entitled “100 Flowers Bloom”, an untitled Macario Vitalis oil painting, Diosdado Lorenzo’s “Barrio Scene” painted in 1978, Romulo Galicano’s “Old House” painted in 1982, Elias Laxa’s “Binondo Church” painted in 1967, Romeo Tabuena’s “Three Villagers” painted in 1960 and Fernando Zobel’s oil on paper “Botijo” painted in 1964.
Other paintings that are part of the lineup are Jose Joya’s pastel on paper “Mother and Child” painted in 1989, Jason Montinola’s untitled oil on canvas painted in 2009, Dicher Alarcon’s untitled rendition of the Mona Lisa and Iya Consorio’s resin sculpture.
Also included in the sale are exquisite pieces of crystal and silver, Chinoiserie, early Filipino furniture, China, books and photographs.
“This convenience makes online auctions for smaller-value — but no less enchanting — lots trending,” Jaime concludes.
The exhibition will be open to the public starting Monday, 15 July from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Previews for the lots will be at Leòn Gallery in Warehouse 14 La Fuerza Plaza, 2241 Chino Roces Ave. and at the G/F Eurovilla 1 Legazpi corner Herrera St., Legazpi Village, Makati City. Visit www.leon-gallery.com or contact info@leon-gallery.com or call 856-2781 for more information.
