Finer pursuits, world record results
Overall, it was another successful sale for the auction house midway into its year-long 15th anniversary celebration, bolstering its reputation as the barometer of the Philippine art market.
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Overall, it was another successful sale for the auction house midway into its year-long 15th anniversary celebration, bolstering its reputation as the barometer of the Philippine art market.
Fernando Zobel’s ‘Erenos’ sets a new auction standard with a final price of P28,032,000.
Setting a new auction world record, Vicente Manansala’s untitled painting depicting carabaos sold for P12,848,000.
Jose Joya’s 1962 masterpiece, ‘Flight,’ sold for a final price of P37,376,000, 400 percent over its high estimate of P9,000,000 and a new world record for the National Artist.
Internationally acclaimed artist Pacita Abad’s ‘Gareng Dalam Dua Gaya II’ sold for P2,803,200.
Pacita Abad’s painting ‘Anemone,’ which reveals her early preoccupation with post-impressionism, fetched P2,102,400.
The P3,270,400 final price for Mauro Malang Santos’ untitled painting of a trio of women reveals the enduring appeal of his favorite subjects.
Onib Olmedo’s painting of a woman with a violin with final price of P992,800.
Federico Aguilar Alcuaz’s abstraction titled ‘Florero’ sold at P3,270,400.
With Salcedo Auctions chairman and chief specialist at the auctioneer’s podium, collectors online and on the floor witnessed the record-breaking sale of three artworks by the vanguards of the Philippine post-war modernist movement. The spirited bidding for all three works by National Artists Vicente Manansala and Jose Joya, along with abstract maestro Fernando Zobel, transpired within an hour last 14 June at the auction house’s second marquee sale for 2025 — Finer Pursuits: Important Philippine Art & Rare Collectibles.
Manansala’s 1965 untitled canvas work depicting carabaos lounging under the blazing red cast of an afternoon sky sold for P12,848,000 (surpassing its previous world record at a Hong Kong auction), while Fernando Zobel’s iconic 1959 Erenos from his Saeta series achieved P28,032,000. The battle for Jose Joya’s 1962 masterpiece, Flight, captivated everyone who followed the proceedings as bids came in a flurry even as Lerma was still introducing the piece. It eventually sold for a final price of P37,376,000 — a new world record.
Overall, it was another successful sale for the auction house midway into its year-long 15th anniversary celebration, bolstering its reputation as the barometer of the Philippine art market. Other highlights include the sale of two works by internationally acclaimed artist Pacita Abad: An iconic piece from the artist’s signature trapunto series, Gareng Dalam Dua Gaya II, and a painting that reveals Abad’s early preoccupation with post-impressionism, Anemone, selling for P2,803,200 and P2,102,400, respectively.
There was intense bidding for the works depicting the favorite subjects of Philippine maestros, Ang Kiukok and Mauro Malang Santos. Malang’s two untitled renditions of a trio of his muses closed with a final price of P1,401,600 and P3,270,400, while Ang Kiukok’s Dog achieved P1,518,400, revealing the enduring appeal of the artists’ subjects.
The event also showcased Salcedo Auctions’ reputation for handling estate sales, with lots from the family of a distinguished statesman and renowned fashion icon, Auggie Cordero, performing well beyond expectations. From Cordero’s collection, Onib Olmedo’s untitled painting of a woman with a violin closed at P992,800, while H.R. Ocampo’s untitled acrylic on paper render of a man and a woman fetched P700,800, well above their respective high estimates of P430,000 and P150,000.
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Seven of the eight lots consigned by the family of a distinguished statesman went to new owners, among them National Artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz’s delicate Florero (sold at P3,270,400) and Paisaje en Azul (sold at P1,401,600), along with Juvenal Sanso’s circa 1960s untitled oil on canvas (P1,518,400). It must be noted that the record-setting Manansala and Joya formed part of this sterling consignment.
“I’m sure the consignor is very happy,” Lerma says, “with the final price for Joya’s Flight at 400 percent over its high estimate of P9,000,000.” “The outstanding outcome for the sale of estate pieces, such as those from the collection of the distinguished Philippine statesman and selections from the art collection of the late Auggie Cordero, reflects the supreme trust and confidence of legitimate sellers in Salcedo Auctions when it comes to offering their objects of value.”
With its third marquee event just three months away, Salcedo Auctions has been receiving consignments from here and abroad.
“We’re very excited about how consignors and collectors continue to offer their valuable objects, especially on our 15th anniversary,” Lerma shares. “This early, we’ve gathered some truly amazing pieces for our next major auction in September. They’ve been a big part of our history, and continue to help shape our legacy as the country’s premier auction house and art arbiter.”
The full sale results will be published at salcedoauctions.com this week. Consignments are now being accepted for The Well-Appointed Life’s second edition. For inquiries, email info@salcedoauctions.com or phone +639175912191. It is presented in association with exclusive bank partner UnionBank Elite. For weekly updates, follow
