Sense & Sensibility: An Art and Jewelry Auction Preview

Sometimes, it’s not enough to simply attend art auctions when in the market for a good addition to one’s collection. This is where auction previews, held sometime before the actual auctions, come into play. They are a good way to have a better sense of what’s on sale so you can make better, informed decisions at the auction.

This is precisely what happened last February 23rd when Salcedo Auctions, Grace Home, and The Peninsula Manila hosted a one-of-a-kind day long event: a preview of the artworks, jewelry, and timepieces from Salcedo Auction’s forthcoming auctions of Important Philippine Art and Fine Jewelry & Timepieces which is happening this weekend, the 12th and 13th of March.

The by-invitation event gathered art and jewelry enthusiasts in the grand surroundings of the Peninsula Suite of The Peninsula Manila, where Grace Home‘s premium beeswax candles were used to perfume the place. Called “Sense and Sensibility,” it was the second in the hotel’s Culturati series of arts and culture events, which forms part of The Peninsula Manila’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

There were actually two events in one day to accommodate our guest list. First, we had an afternoon tea soiree from 2-4pm, which was then followed by a cocktail reception from 5-7pm.

At both times, the Peninsula Manila’s Resident Manager Yves Thoma welcomed our guests. After which, I facilitated the presentation by Richie and Karen Lerma of Salcedo Auctions, who talked about the valuable objects (art and jewelry) which were displayed all around the suite.

Our sponsors were Moët & Chandon who provided our champagne during the afternoon event and Moët Hennessy who made our cocktail drinks for the night.

Here with Irene Francisco, Publisher of Philippine Tatler, who is our event’s media partner, and Karen and Richie Lerma of Salcedo Auctions.

The event had on display some of the most notable works of our Filipino masters, such as Ang Kiukok, Fernando Amorsolo, BenCab, Jose Joya and Fabian de la Rosa.

The whole afternoon was filled with lively conversation about the growing interest in the world of art nowadays– particularly Philippine art!

We also had some of the most beautiful, vintage jewelry pieces and watches on display. We had Cartier, Bulgari, and Tiffany & Co, among others.

As the event’s host, I was privileged to have been given the chance to wear some of the jewelry pieces! (These will be up for auction on March 13.)

So what did I wear? Take a look:

• A diamond, emerald, and gold ‘Eléphant’ necklace by Cartier
• A pair of modified shield step diamond pendant earrings hanging from diamond-clustered kite shaped studs, the diamonds D-F color, 5.00 tcw, set in platinum
• An elegant cushion-cut amethyst ring of approx 8.00 cts, adorned with a diamond melee of approx 2.20 cts, set in 14k white gold
• A ladies diamond Cartier ‘Tank Française’ watch with full pavé diamond-set 18k white gold case and bracelet
• A diamond encrusted rosette bangle set in rose gold, the pave diamonds weighing approx 12.50 cts (not seen in photo as it was in my other arm!)

Those were surely a lot of diamonds hanging around me  — but hey, no complaints here — as I literally felt like a million bucks that day! (Well at least for a few hours!)

A big thank you to all our guests who came and made this event truly special!

See you at the auction! Your bid paddle awaits!

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To read my previous article about some of the basic things we need to know when investing in art, click here.