Provenance: Probably made in the Parian, Manila Martin Imperial Tinio, Jr. Collection Acquired from the above by a distinguished collector

ABOUT THE WORK

Silver figures in the round are very rare in Philippine antiques, and zoomorphic ones done in repousse, hammered in relief from the reverse side, and then chased are even rarer. In fact, these pieces are the only ones of their kind that have ever appeared in the antique markets and are, therefore, unique. The pieces resemble silver animals done in Peru under the Inca rulers in the 16th century and could have been influenced by similar pieces that were brought over by colonists from Lima who came to Manila in the early 17th century presumably as colonists, but in reality to engage in the Galleon Trade, a privilege given to bonafide residents of Intramuros. The pieces are in the form of miniature sheep with somewhat primitive-looking heads and curly horns. The fleece, done in repousse, is finely chased with the locks showing. The legs of the animals are cast in silver and are attached to silver slats that must have been nailed on to a base. From its form, it seems that the animals were part of a large Belen or Bethlehem scene with the principal figures having ivory heads and hands and gold-embroidered vestments. Such Belens appear in Contemporary inventories, but most of them, particularly those of the 18th century, were more like dioramas with solid ivory figures done in miniature. -Martin I. Tinio, Jr