Rare Masterpiece Shows Botong's Views on Gender Equality
"Finally, a Botong. For the entire history of Leon Gallery, we have searched for a Botong of this great scale, beauty, and importance," starts Leon Gallery Director Jaime Ponce de Leon in the
The Botong original titled "The Nose Flute" is to be sold in partnership with One East Larasati Hong Kong, which happens to be one of the premier auction houses in Southeast Asia. The mural-size work, measuring four feet by six feet, was commissioned by Aurelio Gomez Palileo, who had made the acquaintance of Francisco after World War II in the Philippines and became good friends later on. The masterpiece was later passed on by descent until it was sold off to a private Asian collector during the United Asian Auctioneers in Hong Kong on May 19, 2012. Starting bid for the upcoming auction is at P28 million.
"The Nose Flute" was inspired by a Filipino custom common in the northern mountain tribes of the Philippines. The kalaleng (or nose flute), an instrument of courtship, is used by inhaling through the moth and breathing out of the nostril to create soft, beautiful melodies. The red blanket also references a Cordilleran courtship dance, which begins with a pair of separate blankets that eventually become intertwined, symbolizing true love. Despite the focus on tradition, Botong gives another layer of meaning by putting a man and a woman side by side around the campfire–note that the girls in the north are not allowed to go near the boy's campsite (or ato) before their teens. This presents the artist's perspective
Other pieces that will be auctioned off include Cesar Legaspi's "Workers," Jose Joya's "Carnival," Fernando Zobel's "Saeta 52," and Vicente Manansala's "Pila sa Bigas."
The Magnificent September Auctions 2018 is on September 8, 2 p.m. at Leon Gallery, G/F Eurovilla 1, Rufino corner Legazpi Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City.
This story originally appeared on Spot.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Esquiremag.ph editors.
