Vintage Chinese treasures up for sale

If you drop by MC Home Depot along bustling Ortigas Avenue in Pasig City, you may chance upon a store whose façade bears the name The Legacy Collection. Through its glass doors, sculptural pieces with an unmistakable Chinese imperial character immediately catch the eye. For those inclined toward art and heritage, the invitation to step inside is hard to resist.

“There are around 250 pieces,” said project manager Elrich K. Que. “These include vintage hand-painted vases, glass tabletops, figurines, and peacock sculptures. They are made of porcelain, not wood, and are valued at millions of pesos. They are currently up for sale, with discounts, until the end of the year.”

The objets d’art were first brought to the Philippines in 2007 by Chinese traders who partnered with local counterparts. They were initially displayed in several booths at the World Trade Center in Makati City. After the exhibition, the pieces were meant to be returned to China. However, a close relative of Que — his aunt — developed a strong interest in the collection and negotiated a package deal with the Chinese partners. The artworks have remained in her possession for nearly 20 years.

“We cannot say they are antiques, but they are vintage,” Que explained. “We conducted online research, including the use of AI tools, to trace their origins. We found that they came from a town in China known for producing porcelain artworks. Some pieces may date back to the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, but we refrain from calling them antiques because there is no formal certification. Based on accounts from our Chinese partners, such certification did not exist at that time.”

Exquisitely designed, finely detailed

Many of the pieces in the collection are finely detailed and exquisitely designed.

“They have markings or names on the side,” Que added. “There are inscriptions under the vases. When you touch them, they feel warm. You can sense the craftsmanship — the layering, the firing process, and the careful drying.”

As for prices, Que said these are based on published rates. “The most expensive item is a special vase priced at around P800,000. It features a dragon design with incredibly intricate details. You can really see the effort and skill that went into making it.”

Another standout piece is a large green spinning vase pot. In old China, such works were functional as well as decorative, used by elite families to hold fish or turtles. Nearby are tall Chinese vases, also among the 15 most expensive in the collection, distinguished by their calligraphy and Chinese inscriptions.

“There are vases and figurines offered at 30 to 50 percent discounts, and some even up to 70 percent,” Que said. “Our goal is to sell everything and liquidate the collection. These pieces have been kept in the house for 20 years.”

Que, a young Chinoy who studied Finance at San Beda University, hopes that most, if not all, of the artworks will find new owners by the end of December. This, he said, will allow his aunt and uncle to move forward and embark on a new business venture.