PROPERTY FROM THE DON BENITO J. LEGARDA JR. COLLECTION

ABOUT THE WORK

Much has been said about Don Benito’s keen interest in Philippine church architecture and in altar furnishings. The past auctions have seen many pieces from his collection of altar furnishings offered. Perhaps, a future project for his heirs would be a compilation of his essays and writings on the church architecture. Judging from the number and quality of these furnishings, Legarda must have truly treasured the discarded bits and pieces salvaged from major retablos. The scholar in him would have undoubtedly spent much time studying the correlations between sacred architecture and decorations. The collector in him must have relished the heft of the hardwood, the traces of polychromy, the secret, arcane language of symbols and insignium. The finest piece in the collection of altar furnishings is this hefty panel. The crisp, deep carving of the cherub and foliate designs is highlighted by the brilliant and well-preserved polychromy. Here is a fine example of the Baroque interpreted by a Filipino sculptor. But what is it? Some have suggested a base for a larger relleve or even an altar. Others, a receptacle for ciriales or standartes. One thing for sure, it is what it is: A powerful object of beauty.