The recent Under the Tree: The Holiday auction of Gavel&Block held at The Podium saw the sale of Mauro Malang Santos’ oil on canvas painting at P1,518,400, three times higher than its original estimate.
Mall-goers witnessed the live auction organized by Salcedo Auctions’ subsidiary, the first of its kind held in a mall.
According to Salcedo Auctions, Malang’s “Untitled” (2000) painting is the highest selling piece by the artist for its size of just 12 x 10 inches.
Meanwhile, a bidding battle for Poklong Anading’s “Untitled” oil on canvas ended in the final sale price of P700,800, eclipsing its original estimate by 17 times. Anading’s painting is the highest selling work by the artist at auction.
In addition to the aforementioned artworks, the auction curated by Salcedo Auctions and Gavel&Block, featured an exceptional range of over 350 lots ranging from fine art, original prints, exquisite jewelry and timepieces, design collectibles, and historic memorabilia.
Salcedo Auctions chairman and chief specialist Richie Lerma led the sale at The Podium’s West Tower.
Prior to the sale, the Under the Tree: The Holiday Sale was preceded by a week-long preview giving mall-goers an exclusive opportunity to view the lots on offer before going under the hammer.
The preview’s launch was attended by Bohol Governor Arthur Yap and wife Carol; Salcedo Auctions founders Richie and Karen Kua-Lerma, and managing director Victor Silvino; Escuela Taller Chairman of the Board Jun Capistrano and executive director Tina Bulaong; and host Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi.
The auction house also launched the innovative online donation platform, Bid for the Future, at The Podium.
Conceptualized by Joaquin Lerma, a 16-year-old Grade 11 student at the International School Manila, Bid for the Future will help support the cultural heritage preservation projects of Escuela Taller, an NGO that educates and trains underprivileged youth to gain the skills necessary to preserve and restore the country’s built cultural heritage.
