This very interesting, traditional, Spanish – style cabinet – on – stand called a "Bargueño" was completely made out of "narra" wood stained dark in the Philippines circa 1890 by a talented cabinetmaker for one very grand gentleman of Manila, Excmo Sr Don Enrique Maria Barretto y de Ycaza, founder of "La Fabrica de Cerveza de San Miguel."
The "Bargueño" has 8 allegorical figures of curious proportions corresponding to the Human Virtues decorating its front — Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Patience. The cabinet itself has 9 drawers and 1 compartment. The whole cabinet is placed on top of a traditional Spanish — style table with splayed barley twist legs.
One wonders what thoughts ran through Barretto's head as he contemplated this "Bargueño" in his study, or his bedroom. What major business decisions did he make while seated in front of it? What successes? What failures? We will never know but we can always imagine.
It is also interesting to think which of the famous Manila cabinetmakers of the 1890s produced this folly for Barretto??? Could it have been one of the Chinese – Filipino woodworkers along Misericordia street? The redoubtable Ah Tay himself? Isabelo Tampinco? Romualdo de Jesus? Emilio Alvero? We may not know just yet, but every guess may draw us closer to his real identity.
A very interesting peek into Manila's grand past, this particular "bargueño" is...
-Augusto Marcelino Reyes Gonzalez III
Provenance: Barretto family, Enrique Maria Barretto y de Ycaza