What to expect in Leon Gallery’s 29th Online Auction 2
Jose Joya's 'Kulintang'; a pair of 19th century church doors
Culture

Leon Gallery’s 29th Online Auction is a treasure trove of art, history and culture

It’s going to be two days’ worth of virtual treasure hunting on October 21 and 22
ANCX Staff | Oct 18 2023

In celebration of Museums and Galleries Month this October, León Gallery opens its doors to the art-loving public with the 29th iteration of its Leon Exchange Online Auction.

Lot 730. 'Untitled' by Regino Garcia. signed and dated 1877 (lower right). Oil on mother of pearl. 9” x 8” (23 cm x 20 cm)
Lot 730. 'Untitled' by Regino Garcia. signed and dated 1877 (lower right). Oil on mother of pearl. 9” x 8” (23 cm x 20 cm)

The auction features a wide range of artworks, antiques, heirlooms, and religious artifacts. These include an exquisite 1877 mother-of-pearl painting by the 19th-century Filipino artist and naturalist Regino Garcia y Baza, made sometime between his stint as the chief gardener of the Jardín Botánico (from 1866 to 1877) and his post as an assistant at the Spanish Forestry Bureau (which he assumed from 1877 to 1898). 

Lot 336. 'Musikero' by Angelito Antonio. Signed and dated 1983 (lower left). Oil on canvas. 24 x 48” (61 cm x 122 cm)
Lot 336. 'Musikero' by Angelito Antonio. Signed and dated 1983 (lower left). Oil on canvas. 24 x 48” (61 cm x 122 cm)
Lot 337. 'Taga-Bukid' by Angelito Antonio. Signed and dated 1972 (lower left). Oil on canvas. 37”x37”(94cmx94cm)
Lot 337. 'Taga-Bukid' by Angelito Antonio. Signed and dated 1972 (lower left). Oil on canvas. 37”x37”(94cmx94cm)

There are also works by foremost Filipino modernists, such as Jose Joya’s beautiful ode to Mindanaoan culture, his 1982 work "Kulintang," and two early works by Angelito Antonio. 

 Lot 330. 'Fusion' by Emmanuel Gariba and Rene Robles. Signed and dated 2009 (lower right). Mixed media. 32”x60”(81cmx152cm)
 Lot 330. 'Fusion' by Emmanuel Gariba and Rene Robles. Signed and dated 2009 (lower right). Mixed media. 32”x60”(81cmx152cm)

Paintings by leading contemporary artists include a rare collaboration between two social realists, Emmanuel Garibay and Rene Robles, and early works by Ronald Ventura. 

Lot 722. 'Red Heart' (Interaction with Mauro Malang Santos) by Michael Cacnio and Mauro Malang Santos
Lot 722. 'Red Heart' (Interaction with Mauro Malang Santos) by Michael Cacnio and Mauro Malang Santos

Michael Cacnio's sculptures also grace this auction, led by an endearing collaboration with his father, the late great Angel Cacnio, and a joint effort with the eminent Mauro “Malang” Santos.

Lot 723. 'Untitled' by Michael Cacnio and Angel Cacnio. Signed and dated 2006 (lower left). Brass. 7” x 24” x 20” (18 cm x 61 cm x 51 cm)
Lot 723. 'Untitled' by Michael Cacnio and Angel Cacnio. Signed and dated 2006 (lower left). Brass. 7” x 24” x 20” (18 cm x 61 cm x 51 cm)

Works by foreign masters Arie Smit and LeRoy Neiman are also present, encapsulating Leon Exchange's commitment to bringing global art to the Filipino audience.

Lot 240. 'Kebun Kori, Bali' by Arie Smit. Signed (lower right). Tempera on paper. 12 1/2” x 17” (32 cm x 43 cm)
Lot 240. 'Kebun Kori, Bali' by Arie Smit. Signed (lower right). Tempera on paper. 12 1/2” x 17” (32 cm x 43 cm)

Also on offer are four lots of 18th to 19th-century Philippine barrillas, once Manila’s loose change and are now coveted for their historical significance and rarity (only a limited number of these coins were circulated). 

Lot 147. 'Untitled' by LeRoy Neiman 
Lot 147. 'Untitled' by LeRoy Neiman 
Lot 148. 'Untitled' by LeRoy Neiman
Lot 148. 'Untitled' by LeRoy Neiman

This auction also has valuable antiques, heirlooms, and religious artifacts. Standing at 15 feet tall, a monumental pair of 19th-century church doors stand as silent witnesses to the Filipino faith during the Spanish colonial period. Processional andas and carrozas converted into dining tables are coveted for their unique functionality. 

 Lot 115. A 1732 Philippine barilla
 Lot 115. A 1732 Philippine barilla
 Lot 116. A 1722 Philippine barilla
 Lot 116. A 1722 Philippine barilla
Lot 118. A token from the revolution
Lot 118. A token from the revolution

It’s going to be two days’ worth of virtual treasure hunting. 

Day 1 (October 21): “The Collector’s Vault” features watches, jewelry, drawings, paintings, prints, sculptures, and art collectibles
Day 2 (October 22): “Heiresses’ Homes and Tables” highlights heirloom furniture, religious art, silver, tableware, chinoiserie, ephemera, and various decors. 

Lot 1202. An Old Processional Carroza Converted to a Dining Table. Narra and narra frente, with repousse brass appliques. 31” x 92” x 92” (79 cm x 234 cm x 234 cm)
Lot 1202. An Old Processional Carroza Converted to a Dining Table. Narra and narra frente, with repousse brass appliques. 31” x 92” x 92” (79 cm x 234 cm x 234 cm)

León Exchange 29th Online Auction is happening on October 21 and 22, Saturday and Sunday. Bidding will commence on the León Exchange platform at exactly 11 a.m. 

Catch a preview of these lots from October 14 to 20 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Warehouse 14, La Fuerza Compound, Don Chino Roces Avenue, Barangay San Lorenzo, Makati City. To browse the León Exchange 29th Online Auction catalog, visit https://leon-gallery.com. For further inquiries, email info@leon-gallery.com or contact +632 8856 2781/+639985172010. All bidding will be online at www.leonexchange.com. For updates and relevant posts, follow León Exchange on Instagram @leonexchangeauctions. 

All photos courtesy of Leon Gallery