Casa de Memoria to hold Primero, its first for 2022
For many, auctions seem to be the stuff of fiction. It’s present in heist films, even in Marvel shows, even in a Jurassic Park movie, and often seem to involve only those who are uber rich or who have enough time to come in a tux or an evening gown and raise their hands as every item goes under the gavel.
This isn’t quite true, mind you. And for the auctions hosted by Casa de Memoria, this notion is proven to be quite farfetched. For starters, the items put on auction for Primero come in reasonable starting bid prices. For its upcoming auction on April 30, for example, there are two Fernando Amorsolo sketches that start at P40,000. There’s a beautiful porcelain cigar container that doubles as a music box that starts at P15,000. Those are just two of the pieces that got my interest.
That Casa de Memoria offers a good mix of items on the block is also enough to capture the interest of even a first-time auction-goer. There are artworks, classic and modern, as well as luxury antique furniture and other everyday household objects all for auction. Miguel Rosales, curator for Casa de Memoria, really did a great job in selecting the pieces for this opening auction—some 222 pieces that are representative of the design language from the era they were made, which goes as far back as 200 years ago.
“We see ourselves as caretakers of history and our auctions provide new residencies for these pieces,” explains Miguel. “This auction comes at a time as we continue to celebrate 500 years of the arrival of Spain, making the Philippines the trading hub from Asia to Europe.”
Judging by the type of pieces in auction, with a mix of European and Filipino heritage, Casa de Memoria seems to position itself for the everyday enthusiast—for the man or woman of the home who simply enjoys sprucing up the living room or touching up the bedroom with antique pieces that are not obnoxious but are rather in fine taste. Housed within the storied walls of Palacio de Memoria, these objects truly come to life as any observer can get a glimpse of how these were intended to be displayed in a house. With a bit of imagination, it’s not difficult to find a spot for these pieces in one’s own home.
“As we come back to doing the things we love, like going to exhibits and the theater, we at The Casa put together a selection of what we are known for, European and Spanish pieces that make a difference in one’s home,” says Camille Lhuillier-Albani, Casa de Memoria’s general manager.
As with antiques and anything vintage, these turn-of-the-century pieces each carry a story of their own, much like the beloved house that is currently hosting them. And, whether one is an enthusiast or not, most Filipinos love a good story: How these ivory cases made their way into the Philippines years ago, how a document written in Spanish (an Infanzonía) granting a title equivalent to a hidalgo to a particular family is found almost in perfect condition, where these curious portraits of Philip II and his wife Elizabeth of Valois were first displayed. And what about that portrait of Ferdinand VII?
What is common among all these carefully curated pieces is that they are sure to find a spot in anyone’s home. “For the last two years, we have been homebound, and now you have the opportunity to attend an auction, have lunch at our restaurant , and tour our grounds,” adds Camille.
You can still visit Casa de Memoria for a preview of the pieces and some cocktails tonight at 6 p.m., ahead of the Primero live auction on April 30, Saturday, at 2 p.m.
Casa de Memoria is the auction house of Palacio de Memoria, located along Roxas Blvd. in Parañaque City. | FB: @thecasadememoria | IG: @casadememoria