PROPERTY FROM AN OLD ILOILO FAMILY 19th Century

ABOUT THE WORK

In this Calvario or Calvary scene, the Corpus or image of Christ is carved from a solid piece of ivory and wears a wig of human hair. He has a crown of thorns around his head and trespotencias, the three rays, emanating from his pate. The perizonium or loincloth around his waist is made of a gold-gilt silver sheet overlaid with a pierced gilded appliqué embossed and chased with a foliate and floral design. The ivory Corpus is nailed to a kamagong crucifix decorated at the terminals with appliquéd cantoneras embossed and chased with foliate scrolls. An embossed and chased INRI is attached to the top of the cross. The entire figure of Christ has a background of embossed and chased brass rays or rayos. Also not to be missed are the hand painted miniature blown glass details, the iridescent Salaguinto wings painstakingly placed in the foreground, and the gold-leaf adorned satin fabric in the background. The divine tableau is encased in a Neo-classical kamagong urna adorned with gilt foliate design of acanthus leaves and buds. At the foot of the cross are the figures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, and St. John. The faces, hands, bodies, and sandaled feet of the images are of ivory and clothed in piña cloth. The Blessed Mary is in sorrow with her clasped hands. Mary Magdalene is shown kneeling at the foot of the cross in an act of embrace, and St. John is holding the tapis. The base of the tableau is made of coconut husk, covered with foil and painted over. It is decorated with miniature hand-blown glass figurines depicting a scene with bushes, trees, and a flowing stream. Goats, men and women as well as soldiers are shown in various acts. — From the Archives of Martin I. Tinio, Jr.