This piece is accompanied by a certificate issued by Paseo Gallery confirming the authenticity of this lot

Literature: Literature: Escobar, Vicenta. Philippine Antique Jewelry. Kayumanggi Press Inc., Quezon City. 1991. p. 8.

ABOUT THE WORK

Dr. Vicente Mendoza Escobar started collecting Philippine excavated jewelry in the early 1970s when diggers and prospectors hunted and only looked for the more fashionable Chinese porcelain such as celadon and blue-and-white wares for local buyers and collectors. Her collection grew over the intervening years to include Philippine heirloom jewelry which became popular for contemporary use. Her interest and appreciation toward antique jewelry make us realize that we have a rich cultural heritage even before the Spaniards came to colonize us, and that our country has rich gold resources that our ancestors were able to turn into outstanding works of art and jewelry. This astonishing gold belt, in mat weave, was unearthed in the 1970s in the province of Surigao del Sur. Unquestionably a cultural treasure, it is made of 21k gold and weighs about 80 grams. It is estimated to be about 1,000 to 1,500 years old. The fine workmanship involved in this creation speaks a lot about the culture of the people that produced it and the role this accessory played in their lives. Undeniably an adornment worn only by the rich or by royalty, this magnificent gold belt symbolizes the wealth and prosperity of Philippine ancient tradition. This belt is unmistakably worn by royalty during a civilization that thrived in Surigao between the ninth and twelfth centuries. (Contributed)