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Copy of declaration of Philippines independence auctioned for P11.4 M
By J.Lo
“Leon Gallery may be smaller than big American auction houses, but that works to our advantage, to stay nimble and to be able to read pulse of market,” Ponce de Leon noted amid international slump, appetite for Filipino art is as voracious as ever.
Leon Gallery Magnificent September Auction last weekend broke several world records, contrary to mood elsewhere, led by highly coveted works of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo and one-of-a-kind copy of 1898 Philippine Declaration of Independence.
Amorsolo’s 1929 “Under the Mango Tree” bested world record for the artist set by Leon Gallery itself by bringing in eye-watering P58 million or just over $1 million. It had sat in Edward J. Nell mansion in billionaire enclave of Atherton, California for 95 years until owners were ready to part with it. Nell was Manila business titan, building his fortune on having brought air conditioning to Philippines in 1920s. Father of Jose Concepcion, aka JoeCon, in fact, was his chief accountant and his family today continues to control Carrier brand.
Similarly themed work titled “Mango Gatherers” held previous record at P47 million. It was owned by fourth Count of Peracamps, Don Antonio Melian Zobel and was inherited by his son, 5th Count, Don Leopoldo Melian, whose wife was Doña Natividad Ugarte Aboitiz, all Filipino aristocrats.
Leon founding director Jaime Ponce de Leon opined zest for top-tier artwork is enduring. While US elections and interest rates may have resulted in recently reported 25 percent fall in American auction sales, he explained that “in the Philippines, when important painting with impeccable provenance comes to market, collectors will always line up for that.”
History also made another world record with highest price ever paid for single document, with only known copy of “Acta de la Proclamacion de Independencia del Pueblo Filipino” (otherwise known as the Philippine Declaration of Independence) hitting P11.4 million. It was more than double the benchmark paid for the previous record holder, letter of Andres Bonifacio to Emilio Jacinto which was written just days before Katipunan Supremo’s trial and demise. That, too, was auctioned by Leon Gallery.
Juan Luna’s delightful depiction of society princess Adele della Rocca, winsome Italian niece of the King of Italy’s chief aide-de camp, also set world record for Luna portraits at over P31 million. Alfonso Ossorio from his brother’s personal collection and reminiscent of his best friend Jackson Pollock’s abstract expressionist style brought in P33.6 million.
Other art stars were Amorsolo of “Ifugaos at Mines View Park,” from age of Benguet gold rush, topped P18 million, and Bencab titled “I No Longer Worry” at P15 million, latter theme encapsulating mood of Filipino auction scene.
ISKUP! 