Leòn XIII is Online Auction of León Gallery. This is the 13th edition under the Leonexchange platform and will be held on October 19 and 20 (Saturday and Sunday) starting at 11AM. All bidding will be purely online at www.leonexchange.com.
Highlights of the auction are the elegant rare and prized antiques from home of Martin Jesus Tadeo Imperial “Sonny” Tinio, Jr, known in the cultural circles as the “Sultan of the Exquisite.” Up for auction is a treasure trove of precious tables in all shapes and sizes of valuable hardwood, inlaid with mother of pearl and bone or topped in marble alongside intricately designed mirrors, art nouveau frames, wooden sculptures, and a marvelous array of meticulously crafted walking canes embellished with gold, gemstone, and ivory.
Descending from a most illustrious lineage, his grandfather from the maternal side is Bicol’s Abaca King Cirilo Jaucian and his father is PCI Bank founder Martin Tinio, after whom he was named. His taste for the finest things in life and his passionate search for the best, however, trace back to the richest landlord of Nueva Ecija, General Manuel Tinio, the “Lion of the North”, who the Philippine-American War’s master strategist. He has scoured the archipelago for his collection, which he didn’t only collect but also studied, documented, and shared, such that he was known in the cultural circles, too, for his prodigious memory and scholarship which he narrated alongside the most interesting anecdotes.
A man of impeccable taste and critical eye, Tinio served as Leon Gallery’s consultant for antiques, artifacts, furniture, ivory, and precious metals. As Renaissance man, he designed Casa Manila in Intramuros; restored ancestral homes in Taal, Batangas and Kawit, Cavite; and, is remembered as an antiquarian, collector, genealogist, gentleman farmer, globetrotter, gourmand, historian, interior designer, scholar, and writer.
Side-by-side the exquisite collectibles from connoisseur Martin Tinio are paintings that will be auctioned by Aleah Angeles, whose “lyrical compositions exude a warm romantic flair”; Angelito Antonio, a prime mover of Philippine action painting and extended Cubism, who was among the first batch of CCP’s Thirteen Artists Awardees; Norma Belleza, a feminist proponent of folk art; Dex Fernandez, famous for his “Garapata” trademark and an Asian Cultural Council grantee; Froilan Calayag, the muralist and designer dubbed as the “Prince of Dark Fairy Tales”; Zhou Ling, known for her feminist Earth Mother imagery in the Yunnan Art School style; Jigger Cruz, whose shocking use of color and defacement create powerful abstractions; and, Juvenal Sanso, the Filipino-Spanish master acclaimed for his highly evocative impressionistic landscapes.
These visual masterpieces complete the array of collectibles on the block alongside alluring crystal and silver pieces, chinoiserie, Filipino period furniture, fine China, coffee table books, and rare photographs for a truly complete and exciting sale.
“One can indulge his or her taste for the beautiful items at various price points at the upcoming online auction and all that from one’s armchair or boudoir. The online auction gives clients the convenience of bidding through their mobiles, tablets or laptops, without having to trek all the way to where physical auctions happen,” Leòn Gallery Director Jaime Ponce de Leon. This convenience makes online auctions at lower starting bids—but no less fabulous pieces—trending.
The exhibition will be open to the public starting Monday, 14 October, Monday, from 10AM to 6PM. Previews of these lots will be at Leòn Gallery in Warehouse 14 La Fuerza Plaza, 2241 Chino Roces Ave. and at the G/F Eurovilla 1 Legazpi corner Herrera St., Legazpi Village, Makati City.
It’s as simple as going to www.leonexchange.com and registering as a buyer. Visit www.leon-gallery.com or contact info@leon-gallery.com or call 856-2781 for more information.
