Jaime Ponce de Leon talks about Kingly Treasures auction

Ahead of the Kingly Treasures Auction on November 30, 2024, León Gallery’s owner and director Jaime Ponce de Leon speaks with GMA Regional TV on the year-end event that will feature, among other historical art pieces, Jose Rizal’s sculpture of Josephine Bracken and the last surviving seal of the Katipunan.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR GALLERY’S UPCOMING AUCTION?
Ponce de Leon: We are privileged that very important lots are consigned to us for this upcoming auction, notably there is the Rizal [sculpture] and the last seal of Katipunan. These are very important relics of our history that are so timely during Andres Bonifacio’s day.

This is also our last auction of the year, and together with those important pieces we also have the mural of Estafaña Aldaba-Lim by Botong Francisco– a very important painting which the family kept since the 1960s since she was the first female cabinet secretary.

HOW DOES LEÓN GALLERY ACQUIRE IMPORTANT LOTS LIKE THE PIECES BEING AUCTIONED AT KINGLY TREASURES?
Ponce de Leon: León Gallery has gained the reputation of selling historical lots, so kapag mayroong mga historical lots ang families they just approach us and we assess. We consult the experts and that's how we come about with the auction.

On acquiring ‘Josephine Sleeping’: In this case, we already have a relationship with the family of Narcisa Rizal because this is the third sculpture we are selling for the family: the first was the lechon tray, the Jabali (wild boar), and now the most important one– Josephine Bracken.

On acquiring the last Katipunan Seal: The Katipunan Seal naman, we’ve worked with the family [heirs of Trinidad Pardo de Tavera] already, and finally they felt [that] the time has come na ilagay na nila sa auction itong last seal ng Katipunan. It's a very important piece because Bonifacio has so many admirers in the Philippines.

Actually, mayroong mga maka-Bonifacio, mayroong mga maka-Rizal talaga. Whichever side you're on, these things are just so exciting and bring a lot of excitement especially because it coincides with Bonifacio Day.

On acquiring the Bonifacio bust: We are privileged that Dr. Ambeth Ocampo put the bust of Andres up for auction, possibly the most accurate likeness of Bonifacio done bAGAy no less than National Artist Guillermo Tolentino.

ANY EXPECTATIONS FROM THE KINGLY TREASURES AUCTION?
Ponce de Leon: We’ve had a basis already for pricing, but it is still not enough to be really conclusive kung magkano aabot itong sculpture na ito. It is everybody’s game, kasi pwede natin matawag itong– if [Leonardo] Da Vinci has Mona Lisa, this is [Jose] Rizal’s Mona Lisa.

Josephine Bracken is the Mona Lisa to Rizal. So in terms of significance, this is of such importance to Rizal as an artist.

You have to remember, as Jose Rizal is considered the first Filipino, this is the last love of the First Filipino. This is very romantic. Magkasama sila galing sa Dapitan papuntang Manila until he met his fate there– it is very romantic in that aspect.

It is how Jose Rizal put into sculpture the woman he so loved.