Isabelo Tampinco… “Triune God”

Isabelo Tampinco. [ 1850 – 1933]

Title. “ Triune God ” …. original title unknown.

Sculpted and painted wood and ivory.

50cm high x 36cm wide x 20cm deep.

Circa 1870's

Signed center lower back “ ILT”.

Description.

This is a very early Tampinco sculpture in wood and painted, also the hands, face and feet are ivory.

The sculpture shows God the Father seated with Jesus sitting on His right, the Holy Spirit in the shape of a dove can be seen on the center of the back board.

The sculpture is carved from one piece of wood.

God the Father is seated and dressed in a white round necked tunic with a blue robe covering his left shoulder.

He is holding a globe in His left hand and His right hand is held up palm forward.

Jesus is also seated but does not have a tunic on and His robe is brown and over His right shoulder. His right hand is held up but palm faces inward.

Both characters have beards and long hair.

 The faces, the hands and the feet are in ivory and quite detailed.

Both characters are seated on what seems to be a cloud resting on a detailed base.

The backboard showing the Holy Spirit is relief carved and quite ornate and painted gold on a blue/green background.

Signature.

The initials “ILT” can be seen on the center lower back of the sculpture.

 Comments.

This sculpture is thought to be a quite early Tampinco piece, maybe from his apprenticeship years, 1870 to 1880, because of the use of the ivory which was slowly fading out near the end of the 19^th century. Also the anatomy is not quite up to the standard of his later sculptures.

This is a very important work by Tampinco for exactly the reasons I gave above, the ivory and the early creation of this piece and the subject matter. He was to repeat this theme often but the important thing about this piece is Christ is sitting beside God the Father, whereas in most other renditions of this theme the Christ is portrayed crucified.

This an import part of Philippine Art History and needs to be preserved for future generations to behold.

Written by:-

Mark Shellshear.

Art consultant.

markshellshear@gmail.com

Isabelo Tampinco…. “ Flight to Egypt.”

“Flight to Egypt”

Isabelo Tampinco [1850 – 1933]

Two carved figures in wood and painted on a single wooden base.

Mary, Jesus and donkey:- 43cm high x 38cm wide x 15cm deep.

Joseph:- 50cm high x 19cm wide x 23cm deep.

Base:- 45cm wide x 31cm deep x 3cm high.

Signature:-

The sculptures are signed on the base “ILT” on the back left side.

Matthew 2:13. Now when they had gone, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “ Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”

:14. So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night and left for Egypt….

Description:-

The sculpture of Mary and Jesus on the donkey is very beautiful. Mary is holding the Christ Child in both hands as He sit on her lap looking out to his right. Jesus is clothed in a white v necked tunic.

Mary is clothed in a red dress with a blue clock and her head is covered with a white shawl.

The donkey is very well defined, a strong head and painted an olive green.

Joseph is dressed in a long grey tunic that is long sleeved with a round neck and collar and he is wearing green robe over the top of the tunic.

His head is covered by a white cloth and held in place with a red band.

Joseph has a branch over his left shoulder held with his left hand and it has a tied bag on the end of it.

The right foot of Mary can be seen under the folds of her dress and she has on sandals.

The feet of Jesus are covered.

The covered feet of Joseph can be clearly seen under his tunic.

Both sculptures are finely carved with great attention to detail.

All three faces are nicely carved.

The carved drapery on the figures is very expressive and well done.

This is the work of a mature confident wood carver.

This sculpture would be dated at the end of the 19^th century, though no date is on the sculpture.

Comments:-

Considering the age of these two sculptures there is no significant damage, all hands fingers and faces are intact.

The left hand of Jesus has been repaired at some stage but in no way detracts from the magnificence of this piece.

The paint work is in reasonable, good condition.

The base has a few marks on it and one small hole is visible but considering the age of the piece it is in excellent condition.

This is a wonderful sculpture by Tampinco at the height of his craftsmanship, a great example of his genius.

 Signature:-

The signature< “ILT” can be found of the left side of the base at the back

.

Written by:-

Mark Shellshear.

Art Consultant.

markshellshear@gmail.com

Isabelo Tampinco - “ The Holy Family”

“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

The Immaculate Conception.

                                                        "The Immaculate Conception."

Sculptor:- unknown.

Material:- Quartz crystal.

Size:- 58Cm high x 31cm wide x 20 cm deep.

Wooden Base:- Bottom, 34cm x 20.5cm.

                Top:- 29.5cm x 19cm x 8cm deep.

Circa:- 1900 to 1910.

 This “Immaculate Conception” sculpture is unique in that it is made from beautiful white Quartz Crystal from the Benguet area. It was obtained by a collector in the late 1960's and has been in that collection until now.

The sculpture was purchased directly from the folk sculptors family members, unfortunately all records of who the sculptor was have vanished with time.

This sculpture was purchased with the head broken and reattached to the sculpture, it is not known but suspected that the damage occurred during the sculptural process as Quartz Crystal, it is a very hard and brittle crystal and difficult medium to work in.

This very beautiful and unique work is carved out of one piece of Quartz Crystal.  

Pure quartz, traditionally called rock crystal or clear quartz, is colorless and transparent or translucent, and has often been used for hard stone carving.

This is a masterly sculpted work, the detail of the face, hands and clothing are very well carved. There is a soft resonance within this work.

I do find this piece quite alluring and there is an inner quality, a quiet serene presence about this sculpture that is difficult to explain and yet you can sense it when you come into its presence. One viewer wanted to touch the sculpture as she felt a desire within herself to rub her hands on the base as she felt she was being drawn into its healing presence.

This “ Immaculate Conception” Sculpture is an experience to behold, this is no ordinary sculpture.

This exceptional piece is very unique and in all our research we have not at this point in time found another Immaculate Conception carved in such a large Quartz crystal.

Historical text speaks about the nature of light and Quartz crystal, “Light (the Son) striking the crystal (Mary) has long been the symbol of the Immaculate Conception.” 

The Immaculate Conception, according to the teaching of the Catholic Church was the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne free from original sin by virtue of the foreseen merits of her son Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church teaches that Mary was conceived by normal biological means, but God acted upon her soul (keeping her "immaculate") at the time of her conception.
The Immaculate Conception is commonly and mistakenly taken to mean the conception of Mary's son Jesus Christ in her own womb, and the virgin birth of Jesus. These are covered by the doctrine of the Incarnation, while the Immaculate Conception deals with the conception of Mary herself, not that of her son.

 Power and Healing qualities of Natural Quartz Crystal
The clear quartz crystal is one of the most sacred stones of ancient cultures. Its clarity and transparency give it a mirror quality through which things can be seen clearly. The natural quartz crystal symbolizes white light energy.
The power of the crystal can be found in its structure - growing and reaching up toward light from the deepest parts of earth. It is a conductor of energy - both as a receiver and a transmitter. It is important to keep your crystal clean in order to protect it from outside negative vibrations. Your personal crystals will attune themselves to your vibrations, as you will attune to the natural vibrations of the crystal. Choose crystals that seem to speak to you or that you feel attracted to for best results.

Clear quartz crystals have been used for centuries in healing. 

Crystals have been used for healing the body, transforming the spirit, inspiring intuitive insight, guarding against negative vibrations, and smoothing the energy flows of spirit and body. 

This beautiful Quartz crystal sculpture of “The Immaculate Conception,”

Written by,

Mark Shellshear.

Art Consultant

NENA SAGUIL, “ La Crepusle de Dieux” [ Twilight of the Gods]

NENA SAGUIL, “ La Crepusle de Dieux” [ Twilight of the Gods]

Oil on canvas, 57ins x 37ins.

[The photograph of the painting has been cropped as the principles did not want it displayed in its entirety, it is available for viewing at Galeria de las Islas.]

 This wonderful painting by Nena Saguil is clearly one of her signature paintings and has never been on exhibition before in the Philippines..

The simplicity of this magnificent painting is its strongest asset. The cluster of Islands on the ocean, with the setting sun behind them and the risen moon in the foreground, so set the tenor of the painting.

Nena had built her artistic career as an ex-pat Filipina artist in Paris and I feel that this painting is so symbolic of that life she lived there, even the title, “ The Twilight of the Gods” sends out a certain but subdued message.

The expatiate artist will always be in the French society but separate from, always the ex-pat is pulled in two directions and as with all loves, time apart does build a romantic view of the past, coloring it brightly as imagined memories take over from real memories.

Within this painting we get to find a moment, caught in time like an old fashioned snap shot photograph of her Parisian life verses her Philippines homeland.

This piece was painted in Paris, and within this painting I see the longing of the Filipino heart for certainty, direction and acceptance.

My vision of this painting sees these islands representing her homeland, far away, still a magical place set in a golden sea and the tropical Sun setting slowly behind the islands, as if setting on her ever returning home to her beloved Philippines.

I see the moon so large and majestic rising out of the golden ocean, so symbolic of her new life in Europe and her increasing fame as her art career now dominates her world. The blue of the moon ever increasing in size as her artistic career grows and grows, the pink sky slowly pushing away the tropical colors of the Philippines. 

Her career had her on a different journey now where the colors of the tropics had changed into the subtle cooler colors of her Parisian lifestyle. 

To me this is a very happy and serene painting, even though the title would suggest a closing of times, being twilight.

The Gods are her two loves, the Philippines, the Islands and the Sun and Paris the Moon and her art career and yet it is a twilight time. The painting speaks of a happy remembered past, an artistic career chosen in a foreign land and yet something is lost?

Nena's success was in Paris, she had a loyal following of collectors there and fans that stretched all the way back to the Philippines.

This painting “La Crepusle De Dieux” is such a confident work by mature artist at the height of her genius, it is a signature piece.

As I said earlier the simplicity of this painting shows the great strength of a confident painter but the story it tells is of a complicated life caught between the life of Paris and the ever present call of the Philippines.

I find it one of those paintings that the more you study it, the more it gives back to you.

Nena Saguil was a Filipina painter, she was a beautiful, intelligent, courageous woman painter who bravely paved a path for all Filipino ex-pat artists to follow.

I commend this truly wonderful painting to you, full of life and vitality, yet within its joyfulness is the subtle feeling of a longing for home, as only an ex-pat would understand.

Nena was very much part of the Parisian culture that she had embraced, but a tiny piece of her heart still longed for her beloved homeland.

Nena Saguil, 1924 – 1994.

Written by, 

Mark E Shellshear.

Art consultant.

The Collectors Collection.. Building depth around and Artist.

                  The opening of "PUK U ART" at Galeria de las Islas, 3rd of October, 2015.

I recently came across a statement made by by a collector that made me think about strengthening the building your Art Collection. He said how he was part of a small auction on household pieces of an estate and he deliberately went there to buy an art work by an Artist that he collected. The piece was an undistinguished small painting by the artist on paper but it was very different from his normal work. The Artist was a contemporary painter who concentrated on large powerful works, this painting in the auction was a scene of a woman sitting at a kitchen table preparing a meal. As I said a very undistinguished painting and he paid very little for it.

Why did the collector want it?

Because he wanted some obscure paintings by the artist that would build more of the character of the artists life and his paintings into his collection.

Collector Chandler Coventry said,” Try and amass as many diverse pieces by an Artist as possible and these include incongruous works, so by the time your collection is mature, you have depth and breadth.”

Of course it is very important to get the best paintings from your favoured Artist as is possible and this requires research and know when to buy and how much to pay. It does not help your collection to pay far more for your favoured Artist in an Auction just because someone wants to bid up the price, set your price limits and do not move from them, if you do not get that painting today, you never know when it could come back on the market again.

As well as buying these important pieces, seek out the obscure works by your favored Artist. See if you can find very early pieces, pieces on paper and even doodles and scribbles by the artist, these all add to the depth of your collection and especially if the Artist is living and will acknowledge these obscure pieces and sign them.

No piece by your favored Artist is not worth having especially if it is authenticated by the Artist or if the Artist is not alive by the Gallery that represented him.

I know a collector who when he goes to his favored Artist to buy a painting always looks around the studio for paper and small canvas cut off and brush wiping on cloth that the Artist would dispose of anyway and ask for them and get the Artist to sign them, he sees them as an important part of his collection, they gave history to the best works and gives a little incite into the Artist.

As you pursue your passion for collecting, do not forget the little things that others would not be interested in. The best thing about a lot of Collectors is that they do not think obscure and undistinguished pieces of an Artist are worth having, they see no value in these things of little value but added to your collection they bring value to you because they build the back story of the Artist.

They are so never over look these little gems they will enhance your collection and make the great paintings shine even brighter.

I do hope this has been a help for you and if you need any help or advice with you collection or collecting needs, please contact our Gallery Team at Galeria de las Islas and they will do all they can to help and assist you.

Enjoy your passion.

galeriadelasislas@gmail.com

Written for Galeria de las Islas by,

Mark Shellshear.

Art consultant.

mark@shellshearmedia.com

                   Inside Galeria de las Islas, showcasing " PUK U ART" all of October,2015.

Anastacio Caedo.. “ Jose Rizal”

Anastacio Caedo.. “ Jose Rizal”

 Sculpture by Anastacio Cadeo [1907 – 1990]

Marble cast.

Sculpture:- 55 cm high x 23 cm deep x 40 cm wide.

Base:- 20.5 cm x 22cm.

Dated 1966.

This sculpture of Jose Rizal by Anastacio Caedo captures a very serene look on a young Rizal.

The delicate sculptural work of the eye brows and mustache are outstanding, the eyes are looking forward as if he is looking past his present time and into the future. He is self assured, yet thoughtful, calm and confident.

Hi hair, face and ears are all masterly executed. 

His cloths are of his time, well sculptured but not intruding or taking away from the portrait.

His coat is open showing a collared waist coat with three buttons, a straight collared shirt with a cravat.

 The sculpture is signed on the left side of the base:-

                                                                                     A T CAEDO 1966

It is also inscribed on the front of the base:-

                                                                                         Jose Rizal.

This is in script as his signature would be. 

The sculpture bust is a v shape at the front and the back is cut straight across the back.

The base comes from under the sculpture as a curved column and moulds into a nearly square base that is 5cm high.

 Comment.

“ Though the bust entry in the Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission only won third prize.

It was this Rizal bust that was chosen by the Commission as the official token given to foreign diplomats and not the winning entry by Tolentino.” Philippine Star November 2008.

This is an exceptional Rizal bust, handsome and stately.

Written by,

Mark E Shellshear.

Art consultant.