Provenance: Heirs of Dr. Alejandro Roces Legarda

ABOUT THE WORK

Among the furniture styles that flourished during the Edwardian Era, 1901-1910, was those done in the Arts and Crafts style. The pieces tended to be very rectilinear, meaning it had many straight lines, often with an emphasis on vertical and elongated forms. It was usually made of dark wood, and any hardware is made of wood or simple metal shapes. In general, the decoration on these furniture pieces is minimal, allowing the natural materials and crafted details to shine. This narra bookcase is a local version of the Arts and Crafts style. It stands on eight legs, four in front and four behind. Those at the front corners are short dumpy cabriole legs, while the middle front legs and those at the sides are just straight ones that follow the outline of the cabriole legs at each corner. The bottom of the bookcase consists of four low cabinets, each with a turned drawer pull. The two doors in the middle are divided into four in a checkerboard design, while those at the sides are plain. Above the cabinets are bookshelves with glazed doors, the two at the center being taller and double the width of those on either side. The glass doors are composed of vertical and horizontal glazing bars that form a lattice pattern with panes of beveled glass in front and at the sides. The piece, although simple in design, exudes an air of delicacy and elegance. -Martin I. Tinio, Jr.