Gavel & Block online auction embraces the best interiors in East and West – Manila bulletin

By Christopher M. Harwood Last updated Jul 20, 2021

An astonishing range of fine art, decorations and original furniture.

Poster for the ‘Interiors’ auction

The Hammer meets the Hammer on July 24, 2021 at 11:00 am, where the best of the East meets the best of the West at the Gavel & Block “Interiors” online auction. The range, which has been dubbed ‘Fil-Pan-Asian’, consists of art, décor and furniture that showcase examples of fun categories appealing to all types of collectors. The sale also serves as a fundraiser in partnership with Hands On Manila to benefit at-risk families in Pililia, Rizal.

A vintage Korean butterfly design base cabinet, 1970s elm wood, tops with inverted ‘bird tail’ ends, swivel and drop down cabinets flanked by drawers and recessed panels

To begin with the list would be for ceramic enthusiasts. The auction will feature antique and vintage celadon pieces from China and Japan, complemented by a selection of unique books that are said to also talk about Asian ceramics. In the same vein, chinoiserie will also make an appearance in the sale, with intriguing pieces such as a rare porcelain cup set for 12 people from the Daoguang period, a gilded leather chest from the 19th century, a vintage finely inlaid rosewood wedding cabinet, a vintage dining set for eight, and a charming variety of wood and porcelain figurines. The auction is also aimed at avid K-Drama fans, with vintage Korean cabinets that display a butterfly motif, which is a distinctive nature motif found in Korean residences.

A framed BenCab offset lithographic reproduction, undated, offset lithographic reproduction, digitally signed

Of course, the sale wouldn’t be complete without the fine art and furnishings from our own Filipino artists and artisans. Fans of local art will appreciate offers from national artists BenCab, Cesar Legaspi and Arturo Luz, as well as modern and contemporary artists Juvenal Sanso, Lee Aguinaldo, Nena Saguil, Lydia Velasco, Romulo Olazo and Charlie Co.

LYDIA VELASCO ‘Harvest’ 2009, Oil on canvas. An escribania / inlaid Bulacan desk in narra wood, 2nd quarter, 20th century

A welcoming home with Filipino artwork will go well with a well-curated selection of exquisite Filipino furniture, namely, a four column chest of drawers by Bulacan in the warm Narra, a rare caballero Kamagong piece of furniture by Cavite, a chest of drawers from Manila in extremely dense Balayong wood and a four-leaf Baliuag “magic” table made in the early 1900s from Bulacan.

Rounding out the strong line of “Fili-Pan-Asian” pieces are original fine art prints from distinct and well-known names in Western art such as Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali and Joan Miro – a perfect introduction for beginners. into the local auction scene.

HERMAN MILLER AND VITRA BY ISAMU NOGUCHI. A brand new “Noguchi coffee table”, design 1944, solid wood base in black poplar

The local art community is also showing its support for the cause, with artists like Norberto “Lito” Carating, Betsy Westendorp, Remy Boquiren, Ricky Ambagan and John Paul Duray donating their artwork entirely for sale. CWC Interiors also generously donates an Eames Elephant 75th Anniversary piece in Tinted Gray, an extremely desirable collector’s item for design enthusiasts and enthusiasts alike, as only 999 editions have been produced.