{"status":true,"msg":{"data":{"id":22056,"auction_id":23,"set_id":42,"lot_number":"149","artist":"Bishop's Chair","title":null,"starting_price":200000,"signed_dated":"Laguna \n1850 – 1875","medium":"“Golden narra” wood, originally polychromed and gilded","size":"48\" x 24 1/2\" x 21 1/2\" (122 cm x 62 cm x 55 cm)","property":null,"coa":null,"provenance":"A gentleman collector","exhibited":null,"literature":null,"write_up":"This ornate bishop’s chair from the Franciscan territory of La Laguna (remember Padre Damaso and Padre Salvi in Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere) in an indeterminate albeit exaggerated Luis Quince style has a foliar crest featuring the universal symbol of the Franciscan order — the Tau cross, with the right hand of Jesus Christ with its nail wound over the left hand of Saint Francis of Assisi with its stigmata wound — however curiously and erroneously rendered in the reverse (after all, it shows the left hand of Jesus Christ over the right hand of Saint Francis of Assisi, probably the artistic license of the carver who did not know any better.)
\n\nUnder the Franciscan symbol is a banner flanked by two Sinitic cherubs which in turn surmount the oval backrest surrounded by beadwork. The Franciscan symbol, banner, cherubs, and oval backrest are all surrounded by realistic carvings of upright leaves which comprise the entire backrest of the armchair. The arms emerge from the backrest with small acanthus leaves then enlarge with rope patterns to form the stylized cornucopia which are supported by acanthus leaves. The base of the seat is embellished with small, delicate garlands. There is a small apron decorated with a trellis pattern. From the base of\nthe seat descend the exaggerated front cabriole legs carved with leaves and flowers as well as the plain rear legs. The front and rear legs are connected by discreet plain stretchers. The front cabriole legs terminate in ornate ball–and–claw feet, extolling the high ecclesiastical nature of the armchair.
\n\nBased on its construction and style, this bishop's chair dates to the middle of the 1800s. The overall styling and excellent carving of the chair is attributable\nto the workshops of either the highly esteemed Romualdo de Jesus (Director of the Gremio de Esculturas/Guild of Sculptors) or the more\nfamous Isabelo Lacandola Tampinco.
\n\nDespite the avowed poverty of the OFM order, Franciscan churches in their territory of La Laguna took on the native Tagalog penchant for lavish ornamentation/decoration. Thus, the interiors of the churches of Binan (the richest parish in Laguna), Santa Rosa (a rococo ensemble), Paete, Pakil, Liliw, Nagcarlan, Majayjay (the R & R destination/the Baguio of Manila’s religious orders in the 1800s), San Pablo de los Montes, et al with their conglomeration of polychromed, gilded rococo/ neoclassical altars, entire ensembles of solid silver altars, as well as religious icons and paintings galore were testaments to Tagalog artistry and truly sights to behold for the devout indio and the curious foreigners.","lot_group":"FURNITURE","lot_details_html":"
Bishop's Chair Laguna 1850 – 1875 “Golden narra” wood, originally polychromed and gilded 48\" x 24 1/2\" x 21 1/2\" (122 cm x 62 cm x 55 cm)