Conversation Pieces to Elevate your Home at Casa de Memoria’s Auction

As the lockdown slowly eases, more hosts are starting to invite intimate group of friends to their homes to catch up and share stories. Rare and ornate auction pieces make great conversation starters and can transform your space, your safe haven during these times.

At Casa de Memoria’s Tercero auction, the rich historic past meets modern times wherein bidders can take their pick from an enchanting variety of Filipino and European auction pieces to elevate their home with an alchemy of vintage and contemporary. The auction is now live online until July 31, Saturday.

“We have put together an extraordinary collection of vintage pieces that combine art, culture and playful inspirations. From paintings and chandeliers to furniture and more, the auction items at Tercero have been carefully chosen ─ and in some cases, transformed ─ to awe and inspire our bidders to elevate their homes into a refuge for art, culture and design,” said Casa de Memoria general manager Camille Lhuillier-Albani.

Here are some of the highlight lots at Casa de Memoria’s auction that can upgrade your space:

Intricate lamps. Antique lamps can bring sophistication to your space while creating a cozy ambiance. Some of the antique lamps at Tercero have been refreshed by Michelle Lao of Solano. These include "Artepiu Este" Gilt Ceramic Lamp with Peony Motif, a late 20th century Italian ceramic lamp, having gilt field painted with peonies (Lot 34, price starts at P25,000) and "Artepiu Este" Gilt Ceramic Lamp with Oriental Male Figure, a late 20th century Italian ceramic lamp, having gilt field painted with Oriental male figure amid plants (Lot 36, P20,000).

Stylish furniture. Breathe life into your space with a pair of Louis XV - Style Fauteuils chairs and the mid-20th century European pop “lips” style chair. The pair of 19th century Portuguese mahogany fauteuils in Louis XV style were upholstered with settees with a toile hunting scene by Monchet Olives (Lot 63, P40,000). On the other hand, the “lips” style chair’s shape is likely inspired by the iconic Salvador Dali's 1938 “Mae West lips sofa” and can transform your space to another level of class. (Lot 61, P15,000) Or, there is the eclectic charm of a pair of early 20th century Spanish barber's armchair seats with soliya seats and backrests by Daniel Acha. (Lot 1, P160,000)

Evocative paintings and prints. Paired with a good lighting, a striking artwork can serve as a room's focal point and can make any space look complete. At the Tercero auction, art enthusiasts check the 20th century abstract lithograph by Filipino-Spanish modernist artist Fernando Zóbel de Ayala y Montojo. (Lot 52, P40,000) There are also inspiring artworks like a late 20th century Portuguese acrylic on canvas painting titled "Serie: Soro Mariana" by Jorge Guimarães (Lot 54, P40,000) and the bold aesthetic acrylic painting "Talvez" (Perhaps) by Portuguese contemporary artist Joana Rêgo. (Lot 92, P100,000).

The event is powered by Smart Infinity. Take home an auction piece and you will be supporting a worthwhile cause as Casa de Memoria will donate part of the auction proceeds to a local charitable institution to help those badly affected by the pandemic.

The auction preview will run from July 7 to July 30, 2021. You may set an appointment to view the items in person at hello@casadememoria.com. To explore the auction pieces online, visit bit.ly/CasaDeMemoriaOnline. For more information, visit www.casadememoria.com, call 8253-3994, or e-mail hello@casadememoria.com.

M Gallery Opens 2021 wl Pagdakila sa Sining Mabini: Honoring the Masters ofMabini Art Sale

M Gallery celebrates Chinese New Year 2021 with the retrospective art show and
sale Pagdakila sa Sining Mabini: Honoring the Masters of Mabini on February 9,
Tuesday, 3 PM.

The exhibit sale pays tribute to eight masters of the Mabini Art School: Cesar
Buenaventura, Salvador Cabrera, Jose D Castro, Gabriel Custodio, Miguel Galvez, Paco
Gorospe, Crispin Lopez, and Simon Saulog.

We want to revive appreciation for the Mabini artists," asserted M Gallery owner, Mrs
Jeane Enriquez Monteverde, "so we are unveiling previously hidden masterpieces from
Mabini to show that all art is beautiful, no matter where they come from."

More importantly, Mrs Monteverde added, "Since some of these are 50 even 70 years old,
we are not only selling works by Mabini geniuses, but also prized antiques!"

Reintroducing Mabini Art in the 21st Century

"Now, we're taking the opportunity to reintroduce 31 outstanding works by Mabini artists
to Manila's new art audiences: the new and much younger art collectors and aficionados,"
she revealed.

Headlining the show are two big museum-worthy impressionist pieces by Gabriel
Custodio (1912-1993), "Still Life The Gong" (43"x 51.5", oil on canvas, 1956) and
"Ruin" (33" x 47", oil on canvas, 1954).

Hailing from Tanza, Cavite, the UP School of Fine Arts graduate of 1939 gained global
prominence by having his mural "Fishing Village" displayed at the lobby of the United
Nations Headquarters in New York.

Paco Gorospe (1939-2002), from Binondo, Manila, and known as "The Picasso of the
Philippines", has three modernist works on sale including the colorful piece called
"Musician" (47.5" x 35.25", acrylic on canvas, undated).

On sale, too, are the famous still life paintings by J.D. Castro (1908-1994) from Carmen,
Nueva Ecija, which became famous and much sought-after for their uncanny realism.
There are also portraits from the older brother of National Artist Benedicto Cabrera, Salvador Cabrera (1930-1986), who is known in art circles as "The Quick Draw Artist' for finishing as many as 10 paintingsa day.

There is a 72-year-old seascape done in 1948 by Miguel Galvez (1912-1989) from
Paombong, Bulacan. He is the first Filipino to win in the South East Asia Art Festival.
Also included is a painting of a beautiful maiden by Simeon Saulog (1916-1995), whose
works have made the rounds of the auction circuits, realizing prizes as high as $7,266.

For sale, too, is the historical oeuvre "Katipunan" (43.4" x 35.5", oil on canvas, 1976)
by Crispin V Lopez (1903-1985). The piece won first prize in the Historical category of
the Arts Association of the Philippines painting competition.

The show also features 15 alluring landscapes, one of which is a diptych, by Cesar
Buenaventura (1922-1983) from Manila. The son of painter Teodoro Buenaventura, he
studied under Maestro Fernando Amorsolo. His peasant life and landscape works have
often been compared to those of Vincent van Gogh.

Interestingly, Mrs Monteverde's decision to launch this Mabini show, seen to be the first
of many, firmed up when she realized how Cesar Buenaventuras are raking big money in
the auction circuit.

"What makes these Mabini artists great is their masterful brushstrokes," she explained,
"coupled with depth, balance, and colors that bring out feelings that speak to everyone.
Thus, for Mrs Monteverde, this retrospective is aimed at "pure appreciation of beauty and
to honoring the goodness of the masters for the people's appreciation."
"1 want to magnify only the beauty of visual arts because to let real beauty and truth shine
through!" she concluded.

Pioneering Art Supplies in the Philippines

M Gallery started only 7 years ago, with Madame Imelda R Marcos herself cutting the
ribbon, but its roots are deeply grounded in the owner's very auspicious family history.

The gallery has been mounting group exhibits by both veteran and young artists since
2014.

Mrs Monteverde is the granddaughter of the Philippines' pioneer art supplies store
patriarch Mariano Enriquez, who opened the first and only pre-War art supplies store
along Recto in the 1940s and 1950s.

M Enriquez Art Supply started as the only importer, dealer, distributor, and seller of
quality art materials becoming a household name among students and artists.

"I was a teenager then and I would meet all sorts of artists and students visiting our store
to buy their art supplies," Mrs Monteverde recalled. "We catered to architecture and
engineering, too."

Painting then was more of a hobby than a profession," she explained, "artists would
sometimes give us their paintings in exchange for art supplies-or simply because they're
happy."

This accounted for how the family started to accumulate so many paintings over the
period of 50 years. They supplied leading bookstores with imported but affordable
top-quality art materials like Grumbacher, Talens, Holbein, and Sakura.

We would have the likes of BenCab, Vicente Manansala, HR Ocampo, Ibarra dela Rosa,
Oscar Zalameda, Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Lopez, Custodio, and Buenaventura dropping
in to buy paints and supplies," she mused.

"Many of these works were the artists' own gifts to our grandfather. Others were bought
from galleries. Many were procured in bulk from galleries that closed," and, thus, the
Monteverde art collection grew through the years and are now being sold for the first
time.

Getting Inspiration from 1930s Architecture

"The architecture was exquisite!" she delighted. Thus, the inspiration to come up with
a gallery came from the purchase of the beautiful pre-War Rufino ancestral mansion
along Taft Avenue.

Hence, the artworks found a new home. "When I bought the mansion, I knew it would
have to be more than just our office," Mrs Monteverde waxed. She now handles the
family's importing business.

"Traditional Chinese women aren't allowed to inherit and run the family business," she
confessed. "So, I concentrated on something else I knew would make a great livelihood,
too."

"I have always been fond of old thingsfurniture, lamps, and, yes, paintings-and we
used to import shiploads of antique from around the globe," she shared.

"So, we came up with M Gallery or Gallery M, which could mean Masters, Museum, or
even Mabini," she teasingly quipped, "depending on how you want to look at it."

M Gallery is open Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 AM to 5 PM. For appointments, viewing schedules, and price inquiries, call 8-834-8143 or email mgallery00@gmail.com. Visit mgallery.ph for photographs of their painting collection.

Casa de Memoria’s Cuarto Auction Showcases Special Art Pieces as Christmas Gifts

As the Holidays draw near, Casa de Memoria will be holding Cuarto, its fourth major auction for the year, allowing you to explore unique art pieces that you can wrap up as gifts to spread some of the season's merriments among your loved ones.

To be held on November 28, 2020 (Saturday) at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, Cuarto will feature 180 specially curated European-Filipino antiquities and objets d’art that will not only spark some joy this Christmas, but can also add a touch of prestige and affluence to any home.

Among the must-see pieces are antiques that can be given to the special gentleman in your life, such as the silver cigar box formerly owned by prominent Spanish statesman Don José Antonio Girón de Velasco, the Napoleon III style radiogram with 1950s radio and "Philips" mono record player. On the other hand, ladies will surely appreciate the gilded and parcel-gilt lots that radiate opulence, including the polychromed dinner set, the ivory triptych depicting England’s “Glorious Revolution of 1688,” and the Vermeil Tea and Coffee Set by Joyerías Aldao.

For a touch of chinoiserie, Cuarto will feature European art pieces with Asian influences, such as the 18th century Burmese Alabaster Buddha Head in Shan Style and the thin solid 18 karat gold relief of Buddha circa 13th century Bayon period of the Khmer Empire. Fine art lovers can also look forward to delicate and glass and crystal pieces like the Émile Gallé clear art glass, with intricate, hand-painted ribbons, flowers and dragonflies in enamel, a mid-to-late 19th century Peking glass plate in a rare amethyst color, and reverse glass paintings of Saints Francis of Assisi and Sebastian.

Cuarto will also offer essential pieces and furniture that can spruce up any living space, like Milanese ebonized side chairs and various Bargueños from Spain with touch of Italian and Flemish styles, as well as paintings and lithography by revered Filipino and European artists, namely Fernando Zóbel de Ayala y Montojo, Romeo Tabuena, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dali, among many others.

Explore the auction pieces and register for the auction at www.casadememoria.com. For better appreciation, art aficionados may also attend the intimate auction preview from November 3 to November 27 from 10 o’clock in the morning to 4 o’clock in the afternoon at Palacio de Memoria at 95 Roxas Blvd., Tambo, Parañaque. Strict safety protocols are in place at the venue.
At the auction on November 28, registered members will have access to a console. If you won't be able to join, absentee bids can be placed before the auction. Interested parties may also opt for telephone bidding.

For more details, call (02) 8253-3994 or e-mail hello@casadememoria.com. For more information, visit https://www.casadememoria.com/ or follow @thecasadememoria on Facebook and @casadememoria on Instagram.

Glenfiddich Partners with Whisky Auctioneer to Raise Funds for the Speyside Community

Manila, Philippines - June 16, 2020 – Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky, is releasing an exclusive limited edition whisky to raise funds to support the Speyside community - the heart of the world’s largest whisky producing region. Glenfiddich will produce 450 bottles of Glenfiddich 2007 (Cask No. 25427) Spirit of Speyside Distillery Edition 2020, hand-selected by Malt Master Brian Kinsman. Bottles will be auctioned on whiskyauctioneer.com from Wednesday 17th to Monday 22nd June 2020, with all proceeds going to local Speyside causes and those most affected by COVID-19.

“The local community has been at the heart of Glenfiddich since 1887 when William Grant opened our distillery in Dufftown” comments Struan Grant Ralph, Glenfiddich Global Brand Ambassador. “We hope the release of the Spirit of Speyside Distillery Edition 2020 is a fitting tribute to William Grant and his legacy in the Speyside community.”

In light of COVID-19, the annual Spirit of Speyside Festival, which attracts whisky enthusiasts from all over the world, has been cancelled in its 21st year. In honour of the festival, Brian handpicked this special liquid which has spent the last 13 years maturing in the darkness of Glenfiddich’s Warehouse 26. Finished in a sherry cask, Glenfiddich Spirit of Speyside Distillery Edition 2020 has been bottled at the unusually high strength of 65.7% ABV and tastes silky smooth and sweet, with a rich citrus and cinnamon-infused apple fruitiness.

Only 450, 70cl bottles will be produced, each hand-numbered 1-450 and each signed by Brian Kinsman. 100% of the revenue produced from the sale will go directly to help and support local Speyside causes, particularly those most affected by the COVID-19 crisis; Moray Food Plus, Keirans Legacy, and NHS Grampian. Glenfiddich sees this as a fitting tribute to founder William Grant, himself a pillar of the local community over 130 years ago, who always looked out for his craftsmen and community, often through tough times. Since 1887, Glenfiddich has always strived to create the ‘best dram in the valley’. Today, in 2020, that vision is amended to the ‘dram doing the best for the valley’.

“We are honoured to work with Glenfiddich to bring this special charity bottling to auction” comments Iain McClune, Founder of Whisky Auctioneer. “There has never been a more important time to form partnerships to support those most in need in our communities. We thank the team at Glenfiddich for approaching us with this opportunity.”


ABOUT GLENFIDDICH

Founded in Dufftown, Scotland by innovator William Grant, Glenfiddich first ran from the stills on Christmas Day, 1887. Adopting revolutionary methods and practices Grant’s maverick attitude to whisky production saw Glenfiddich excel for over a hundred and thirty years, becoming the first single malt whisky to be promoted outside of Scotland, and ultimately, the best-selling and most awarded single malt whisky in the world*. While Glenfiddich is now sold in over 180 countries across the world, the brand is one of the few single malt distilleries to remain entirely family-owned and is still produced in the same distillery which William Grant and his children hand-built.

William Grant, founder of Glenfiddich, was one of the pillars of the Dufftown community in 1887. He is most famous for owning his own distillery, but he also had a wide range of interests beyond whisky. He was a Major in the local Volunteer Militia (forerunner of the Territorial Army), which was a popular activity throughout Banffshire in the Victorian era. He was also Precentor (the person who led the singing in church) at their local Dufftown church. As time went on, he was one of the biggest employers in the area.

ABOUT WILLIAM GRANT & SONS

William Grant & Sons, Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the luxury spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch Grant’s® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s® Gin, Sailor Jerry®, Milagro® Tequila, Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whiskey, Monkey Shoulder and, most recently, Drambuie and Hudson.

ABOUT WHISKY AUCTIONEER

Whisky Auctioneer aims to be the global market leader and trusted authority on the buying and selling of whisky and spirits at auction. Founded in 2013 and located in Perth, the very heart of Scotland, they utilise their expertise and knowledge combined with their auction platform to increase interest and passion in the whisky and spirits community.

THE AUCTION

The auction will start on 17th June 2020, conducted by www.whiskyauctioneer.com . It will conclude from 7PM on 22nd June 2020.

ABOUT THE CAUSES

100% of the sale revenues generated from the online auction will go directly to the following causes;

Moray Food Plus
Moray Food Plus provides a variety of services to those either experiencing or at risk of food insecurity. They also work with partners to reduce the amount of local food waste taking surplus food and redistributing it amongst the community, which is especially important in this difficult time.

Find out more here: https://morayfoodplus.org.uk

Keirans Legacy

Keirans Legacy is a local charity and one that’s close to our heart. It challenges organisations, enhances knowledge, provides education and facilitates hands-on training on how to save a life in an emergency life-threatening situation, especially enabling the provision of automated external defibrillators.

Find out more here: http://www.keiranslegacy.co.uk

NHS Grampian

NHS Grampian is responsible for providing health and social care services to a population of over 500,000 people living in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, and Moray. Their aim is to put quality first to deliver better health, better care, and better value. In this particularly difficult time, they are also dealing with large numbers of people suffering from Coronavirus. http://www.nhsgrampian.org

Find out more here: http://www.nhsgrampian.org 

Bigger Facility, More Vehicles for HMR Auto Auction’s Grand Opening and 3rd Anniversary

HMR Auto Auction is set to open the Philippines’ biggest purpose-built auto auction facility on December 7, 2019 in Bicutan, Paranaque—providing a one-stop shop for buyers to bid on a huge range of premium used vehicles. Over 200 vehicles will be sold at the live public auction. An event not to be missed!

In line with HMR Auto Auction’s 3rd anniversary, they have built a facility which provides comfort for all the bidders, including a full air-conditioned registration and bidding area. For the past 3 years, HMR has sold over 4,000 vehicles to the public through their live and online channels.

The Grand Opening will feature motorcycles, compacts, sedans, MPV’s, Pick Up trucks, SUV’s, and light commercial trucks. All from premium brands, at heavily discounted prices.

To celebrate this milestone, HMR Auto Auctions will be providing plenty of giveaways on auction day, including raffle prizes, promotions, and even games and food trucks for the whole family.

HMR is also launching its brand new finance partnership with UNIONBANK, which will offer affordable finance options for buyers, making the bargains of auto auctions available to more buyers.

Sam Powell, CEO of HMR Auctions, said: “I am incredibly excited for the Grand Opening of our new auto auction facility in Bicutan. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team over the past three years since our first live public auto auction; and an affirmation that the buying public has embraced HMR’s sales method, to provide an easy, safe and transparent environment to purchase used vehicles. I am also proud to announce our new partnership with Unionbank which will offer affordable finance options for cars purchased with HMR Auto Auction, extending the savings to more Filipinos.”

HMR Auto Auction is located at ACSIE Compound, Main Avenue, KM 16 West Service Road, Bicutan, Paranaque City. To join, pre-register at  mrbid.com. Contact 0917-548-3603 for more information.

For consignment inquiries, please send an email to hmrauctionsmarketing@hmrphils.com