February 1, 2010

Survivor

THEME DAY: WOOD • This high relief screen made of narra and painted a deep chocolate brown is all that remains of the woodwork of the 19th century San Ignacio Church in Intramuros. The screen is attributed to Isabelo Tampingco (or Tampinco, 1850–1933), one of Manila's best sculptors at the time. Tampingco and his atelier were commissioned to create all of the San Ignacio's interior woodwork and it was largely because of their handiwork that the church was hailed as the most beautiful in Manila from the late 19th century to the early 20th. The church was put to the torch by the Japanese in 1945 during the Battle of Manila. The screen survived because it was borrowed by the RVM sisters from the Jesuit priests before the war and used in their central house in the southern part of the city, which was not as badly razed as the northern areas. All that remains of the church itself is its concrete shell. Come back tomorrow to find out about the bust, but would you care to guess who it is?

carved narra screen of the San Ignacio Church

See glorious photos of wood in all its varied colors and textures from City Daily Photo bloggers. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

40 comments:

Lowell said...

Beautiful screen. At least something was saved during those terrible years!

The bust - must be a religious figure of some sort. Looks like he's got his eyes closed.

Julie said...

Looks like a death mask!

Astounding beauty in the screen, Hilda. All the screens I know are frail, fragile items whereas this seems to be the very antithesis of that!

Mike Rose said...

Hilda I like the photograph but wonder what they were thinking of when they choose the colour of the plinth for the bust.

For me it doesn't complement the beautiful screen behind.

Chuck Pefley said...

Wonderful wood! At first glance I thought the "bust" was actually a central part of the screen. I, too, wonder at the color choice for the pedestal supporting the bust.

Verna Luga said...

Wow, this is priceless Hilds. Marvelous.

Anonymous said...

Guess that only wood can do that. Having been, currently is and probably will ever be a proof of life.

Please have a wonderful start into the new month and the week as well.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Great choice and a wonderful story. I will look forward to your post tomorrow.

Stevenson Q said...

Hilda! This is very very Interesting! Just look at the Carving on that Screen! It is Glorious! Too Bad I wasn't able to join the Theme Day for February but I do have a post :D

Excited to see about the Bust! Have a great Week and Mabuhay!

Steven^^

PJ said...

How exquisitely beautiful, Hilda, and I like the back story. I love hearing stories of hope and survival.

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

stunningly beautiful use of wood. the sculpture is the pinnacle touch on the intricately carved door.

James said...

The details are wonderful and I love the dark color.

Leif Hagen said...

An intricate, fancy piece of beautifully carved WOOD! Perfect for theme day!

JTG (Misalyn) said...

Great captures and thanks for sharing the story behind that beautifully carved wood.

Missed the them day, ngarag pa from night shift eh. Next time, join ako.

Bisita ako ulit bukas. Have a great start of the week Ms. Hilda.

George said...

This wooden screen is absolutely beautiful. The workmanship is obvious even after all this time. I'll be back to find out about the bust.

Don and Krise said...

That is gorgeous Hilda, and I have to admit I, like the others thought the bust was part of the screen at first. Like always, I'll be back tomorrow to find out the rest.

Kaori said...

This is so beautiful! I'm glad it survived!

Jilly said...

Such intricate carving and that beautiful patina. Such a lovely choice and thanks for the background too.

Louis la Vache said...

Not only a survivor, but a beautiful survivor.
Testimony to the horror World War II brought to the Philippines. As you know, «Louis» has read a lot of the history of the war in the Philippines - how your country suffered!

«Louis'» guess is the bust is of St. Ignatius.

Olivier said...

le masque en bois est magnifique

Bergson said...

magnifique !!
quels détails

Gerald (SK14) said...

great choice for the theme - an historical survivor.

Celine said...

What gorgeous carvings... and what history there is behind it. There's nothing even remotely like this in my hometown.

Lachezar said...

This is really a gorgeous piece of woodwork. Many thanks for telling the story behind it!

Cezar and Léia said...

Fabulous shot with so many beautiful details!
Also liked a lot the previous post about Thomas More, it was so interesting!
God bless you
Léia

Andreea said...

Wow, exquisite work, Isabelo Tampingco's reputation is very well deserved. Great theme day photo.

B SQUARED said...

A beautiful piece. So intricate.

escape said...

a friend of mine also collect antiques and so i know how valuable this can be.

artworks like this combine great historical value and ingenuity.

VP said...

A great piece, beautiful and with a story: it is almost incredible that it survived...

J.C. said...

Love the ornate carvings on the screen, Hilda.

Anonymous said...

This is really something. Thank you for the information as well.

Joe Todd said...

Makes one stop and ponder all the wonderful things that have been lost. Great post

cieldequimper said...

Makes you wonder about what the church was like. Absolutely gorgeous wood carving Hilda.

Lois said...

It's magnificent Hilda!

Rob Siemann said...

Glorious is the word!

johnny said...

Thank you very much for your concern. I'll be careful to continue with my blog:)
This door is a true work of art ¡¡¡¡¡
Hugs, Hild

Kim said...

This is wonderful, Hilda. What a beautiful screen! My husband was talented at carving and mill work, so I have a fondness for seeing this sort of lovely work. I lived in San Francisco, CA for many years and the beautiful church on the campus of the Jesuit founded University of San Francisco is called St. Ignatius. My small protestant church congregation outgrew its little steepled building in the Inner Richmond district and rented Ark Chapel behind the church as a meeting place for several years. St. Ignatius church is huge and at night is very beautiful, lit with flood lamps and visible from all over. USF is a very well regarded university, and I have many friends who were graduate students there. The museum-style pedestal is meant to call attention to the bust, so perhaps it is well that it distinguishes the bronze work from your wonderful angle which makes the bust seem part of the screen. Really beautiful work!
Happy theme day.

Carraol said...

Impressive work of wooden art, the door is magnificent, perfect for illustrating this theme day!

Halcyon said...

This is beautiful!

Tara said...

Am glad a part of that church was saved and preserved. Great doors here Hilda.

Unknown said...

Great entry, Hilda!