Rare heritage pieces headline
León Gallery September auction Rare works by some of the Philippines’ most important artists and historically significant pieces from private collections will go under the hammer at León Gallery’s The Magnificent September Auction 2026 on Sept. 12, highlighting the enduring market for Philippine art, antiques and cultural heritage.
Manila, Philippines - The Magnificent September Auction 2026, organized by León Gallery, will showcase rare and historically significant works of art and cultural heritage on September 12. The auction will feature notable pieces from some of the Philippines' most prominent artists and private collections.
Among the highlights is Anita Magsaysay-Ho's final major work from her productive period in the Philippines, "Two Women in Brown." Another key lot is Fernando Zóbel's rare painting, "Saeta 82 - Filadelfia," which was created while he was in the United States.
The auction will also include significant pieces from the collection of Ma. Cristina "Kit" Ongpin-Roxas, a respected figure in Manila's art and antiques community. This collection encompasses pre-colonial Philippine gold ornaments, such as a pair of earrings made from genuine excavated gold elements dating back to the 12th to 15th centuries, associated with the Butuan/Agusan-Surigao cultural sphere.
Historical objects connected to prominent figures in Philippine history are also part of the auction. Dr. Jose Rizal's ivory and bone chess pieces, hand-painted by the national hero during his exile in Dapitan, will be up for bid. These pieces showcase distinctive European and African influences, reflecting Rizal's diverse interests.
General Antonio Luna's epaulets, designed by his brother, painter Juan Luna, are another notable lot. These were entrusted to close friends by Luna before his assassination and remained hidden for 127 years before resurfacing. Lastly, the auction will feature the Plans for Malacañang, which were drawn after the destructive 1880 earthquake and document the transformation of Malacañang from a summer mansion into the presidential palace it is today.
Written by urgent.news from Philippine Star Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
