This year’s “The Well-Appointed Life” could very well be one of its most successful events yet based on record results.
Salcedo Auctions has announced the results of its annual “The Well-Appointed Life” auction held on September 17, wherein the late National Artist Vicente Manansala’s “Vendors” (1978) led the art auction in terms of value, as it soared to P17,240,000, well exceeding its pre-sale estimate. According to Salcedo Auctions’ managing director Victor Silvino, its price was matched by Ronald Ventura’s “Beasty Eyes” (2021), proving that contemporary Philippine art has a place and space among serious collectors.
As has become the norm at Salcedo Auctions, records were once again set for master sculptor Ramon Orlina and, in a tour-de-force showing, by master abstractionist Romulo Olazo. The former’s two glass sculptures from the collection of the Tower Club each sold for P 7,592,000. The auction house has now set the bar for both size and overall price by Olazo with the 48×48-inch “Diaphanous 71719,” achieving a final bid of P11,680,000 and the 42×84-inch “Diaphanous B-CXIVIII” reaching up to P 14,016,000.
Meanwhile, Mauro Malang Santos’ “Yellow Vendor” was sold at P 11,096,000, while the two 1957 early works from the “Bananas” series by Ang Kiukok were sold at a combined total of P 9,110,400 and BenCab’s 12×11 1/2-inch 1969 “Mother and Child” achieved a final bid worth P3,270,400.
Juan Luna’s 1887 watercolor piece “Reclining Warrior,” which has also set a record for a work on paper by the artist based on size, was sold at P 2,102,400.
The Philippine art market, according to Silvino, is expected to adjust its prices again based on Salcedo Auctions’ recent stellar results as the renowned barometer of the country’s art market. — Ma. Angelica Demegillo
