“The Holy Family”, original title unknown.
Isabelo Tampinco [ 1885 – 1933 ]
Three [3] pieces, carved and painted wood on wooden bases.
Dimensions.
Jesus :- 34cm high x 31cm wide x 10cm deep.
Base, 19.5cm x 18cm x 6,5cm high.
Joseph:- 64cm high x 32cm wide x 22cm deep.
Base, 26cm x 25cm x 6.5cm high.
Mary :- 62cm high x 31cm wide x20cm deep.
Base, 26cm x 25cm x 6.5cm high.
Signed “ I L T” bottom left side, corner of the base on Joseph.
Isabelo Tampinco carved these figures, probably around the late
1860's, early 1870's, the sculptures have no date on them.
The two adult figures of Mary and Joseph are heavily robed with two
garments each, yet Jesus is only clothed in a long tunic.
Mary is dressed in a long red dress and has a blue robe/wrap over her
right shoulder and it is caught at the waist.
Joseph is wearing a long green cassock/tunic and has a brown
robe/wrap over his left shoulder and caught at his waist.
The neckline of both Mary and Joseph garments are identical.
The long tunic that Jesus is wearing is colored brown and is round
necked.
All garments are long sleeved and caught around the waist with a
belt.
The drapery on both adult figures is very expressive and in great
detail.
All three are wearing closed in shoes.
Jesus is reaching up to both Mary and Joseph.
Mary has her left hand out towards Jesus and Joseph has his right
reaching out to Jesus.
Mary is to the right of Jesus.
All figures have uncovered heads.
Signature.
Only the statue is signed on the front left corner of the base “ I
L T ”.
Comments.
It is our considered opinion that these are very early works of
Tampinco. Even maybe part of his apprenticeship years. Our reasons
for this consideration are a few interesting things.
The garments on Mary and Joseph are identical, but for the colors.
The child is depicted around the age of 6 or 7 but his autonomy is
not to the same standard of latter Tampinco's.
Also in later works the figures are always wearing open toed shoes,
sandals or bare feet.
Another consideration is the identical clothing on the adult figures.
Considering the age of these sculptures the are in very good
condition, the fingers on the hands are complete as are the faces.
The paint is all original and there is no noticeable repairs or
restoration.
Final thoughts.
These three sculptures are very good early works of the master
Tampinco. It is so wonderful to be able to see early work and
understand the progression that took place in this abilities
throughout the years.
I can recommend these pieces because they are very early works and I
think gives us a wonderful insight into the sculpture.
They are in excellent condition and must be around 140 plus years
old.
They are very fine specimens of early Tampinco work.
Written by:-
Mark Shellshear.
Art consultant.
markshellshear@gmail.com
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