Salcedo Auctions Withdraws Mariano Benlliure’s ‘Bust of Juan Luna Y Novicio’ from Auction
The country’s leading auction house withdraws Mariano Benlliure’s 'Bust of Juan Luna y Novicio' from upcoming sale.
Images provided by the Salcedo Auctions
September 16, 2023
In view: A face-to-face meeting with history. Salcedo Auctions Chairman & Chief Specialist Richie Lerma, and Salcedo Auctions CFO Karen Kua-Lerma, together with Andoni Aboitiz, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum, and National Museum director Jeremy Barnes stand beside Mariano Benlliure's 'Bust of Juan Luna y Novicio.'
Salcedo Auctions announces the withdrawal of Mariano Benlliure’s ‘Bust of Juan Luna y Novicio’ from The Well-Appointed Life sale this Saturday, 16 September. The decision was arrived at by the bust’s current owners as a gesture of goodwill in light of a request made by the National Museum in consideration of the bust’s possible provenance.
Since the owners’ acquisition of the piece, there have been no claims of ownership by the National Museum or any other private or public institution despite the fact that it had been featured on the cover of Chronicle Magazine in 1967, and was cataloged by the Filipinas Heritage Library. Hence, the decision to put the bust up for auction.
Salcedo Auctions chairman and chief specialist Richie Lerma in his announcement said: "We are proud and honored to have played a crucial role in bringing out to the art community the existence of a Philippine treasure, and an important part of our national patrimony. The decision to withdraw the bust from the auction is done with profound respect and a deep sense of responsibility to preserving and protecting our nation's cultural heritage. More than leaders in the business of art, we see ourselves above all as trusted and ethical purveyors - partners in upholding the public trust - and this outcome is a testament of that."
Discussions will continue between the parties. The information presented will be fairly considered before a final decision is made by the current owners. What is definite at this point is the object’s historical significance as well as its authenticity, arrived at through Salcedo Auctions’ rigid investigation and documentation.
In view: Mariano Benlliure’s ‘Bust of Juan Luna y Novicio’.
The 'Bust of Juan Luna y Novicio' by Mariano Benlliure remains on display at Salcedo Auctions until Saturday, 16 September 2023 to allow the public and those attending the 'The Well-Appointed Life' live and online auction starting at 2 PM to come face to face with history.