These objects have the shape of memory

The older the thing, the more it exudes history. We may have a thing or two in our own closets, those repositories of moments: a piece of jewelry, old records, a wooden statue of a god or such bought from a forgotten corner of Cairo somewhere, an antiquated map. We could just imagine the invisible gleam of lives, events and stories stuck to them.

Lisa Ongpin-Periquet collects jewelry and memorabilia.

“I have a postcard dated 1910 that my great-grandfather, the art collector Alfonso Ongpin, sent to a pen-pal in Paris,” she explains. “It was serendipitously found in a Paris bookshop in the 1990s by a friend of my mother’s. It shows him in a fencing outfit, styled like Jose Rizal, who was his hero.  The message to his lady pen-pal was written in French, no less.  To me it symbolizes the idealism and romanticism of the age.”

The most precious thing for Dindin Araneta is a brass-and-steel bed.

“I slept on it as a teenager,” she says. “It was once previously owned by a great grandmother. It was recently removed from storage where it has been kept for 10 years. It is being repaired by Leon Esposo of Unang Panahon to be used again.”

Trickie Lopa says there is a reason behind people’s fascination with all things vintage.

“There’s something fascinating about connecting with objects that have a history all of their own,” she explains. “For instance, tribal art pieces are integral to the rituals that mark the passing of the seasons or milestone events. Can you imagine what these objects have played silent witnesses to?”  

Thus, Lisa Ongpin-Periquet, Dindin Araneta and Trickie Lopa — organizers of both Art Fair Philippines (AFP) and Art in the Park — feel that after putting together events that focus on contemporary art, local enthusiasts will welcome a fair where they can revisit decorative art traditions.

“Those interested in art likely gravitate to singular, finely wrought pieces that speak of heritage, carry interesting stories, and tell of the memories embedded in them,” shares Trickie. “Launching The Nonesuch is a natural extension of what we do in terms of widening the exposure of Manila’s audience to craftsmanship.”

The Nonesuch: Fine Collectibles and Rarities is a new kind of fair that showcases a vetted selection of art, antiques, furniture, jewelry, books, maps and prints, rare objects and other collectibles in a unique setting. To be held from Oct. 27 to 29 at The Peninsula Manila in Makati City, The Nonesuch will be highlighted by the quality and rarity of the featured pieces.

“We want to shine a light on collectible fine objects which come from a long tradition of arts and crafts and specialized workmanship,” explains Lisa. “For example, Philippine furniture, jewelry, and santos would all have been made by craftsmen with specialized skills and techniques, many of which are almost forgotten today.”

She thinks objects with some age and history embedded in them are always interesting, with their materials and design reflecting the tastes and fashion of the past. Lisa adds, “These objects probably carry interesting stories of their own and help bring an element of tradition, nostalgia and timelessness to the present.”

The Nonesuch is patterned after well-known fine arts and antiques fairs such as Masterpiece London and The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF) in Maastricht. A wide range of top-quality objects will be displayed and offered for sale in a special setting that is designed to highlight their aesthetic, historical, and collectible aspects.

Leading objets d’art purveyors will contribute special pieces for The Nonesuch.  The list of participating exhibitors include: Gallery Deus, Gallery Joshua, Gallery of Prints, Leon Gallery, Maria Angelica Rare Finds, Maria Closa, Natalya Lagdameo, Nicole Whisenhunt, Osmundo, Tawalisi Antiques, and Unang Panahon.

According to Lisa, “We’ve selected purveyors who have been present in the market for a while and have built up strong reputations for their quality goods.  Essentially, the cream of the crop of possible exhibitors.”

Trickie considers them as arbiters of quality in terms of antiques, tribal arts, textiles and religious objects.

She shares, “The part I enjoyed most about organizing The Nonesuch has been the opportunity to sit down and listen to our exhibitors talk about the pieces they have.  I’ve always been interested in history and cultural heritage.  What better way to learn more about the past than to be allowed to interact with pieces that people made use of in their daily lives? Our participants have a ton of knowledge; each chat akin to a history lesson.”

The three-day event will be staged by Gino Gonzales, one of Manila’s most creative set designers, who recently bagged the silver prize at the 2017 World Stage Design by the International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT) held in Taipei, Taiwan.

To complement the fair, the organizers also created The Nonesuch Salon, a speakers’ series of talks that enhances visitor experience of the fair. The Nonesuch Salon will be held at the Nolledo/Hernandez and Garcia Villa function rooms of The Peninsula Manila.

“Aside from providing an opportunity to acquire choice pieces, The Nonesuch will also be a learning experience widened by a lecture series.  It is our way of promoting connoisseurship, and art and design appreciation,” explains Dindin.

Emmanuel Breguet, the GM of Breguet France and the brand’s historian and archivist will be flying in to attend the event and speak on the brand’s heritage. Other speakers are Floy Quintos, a specialist on traditional art and culture of the indigenous people of the Philippines, who will speak on the Ifugao bale; Ino Manalo, culture and heritage advocate and administrator, executive director of the National Archives, will speak on religious urnas; and Ambeth Ocampo, Filipino historian, academic, journalist will speak on collecting and stewardship.

Trickie concludes, “When we first broached our concept for this fair, the late great Ramon Villegas was still alive. We had a very memorable merienda in his shop, just sitting around one of his antique tables, listening to him debate about the merits of who we should invite to join us, gossiping really!”

In meta-fiction, the antique table and chairs would have turned anthropomorphic: heard and clung to every word, kept the stories in their bosoms, to be aged like fine wine.  

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The Nonesuch: Fine Collectibles and Rarities is co-presented by Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Breguet, and sponsored by the Bank of the Philippine Islands and The Peninsula Manila.

Visitors can opt to purchase a three-day pass for P1,000 valid from Oct. 27 to 29, or a daily pass for P350. Ticket holders are also eligible to attend the Nonesuch Salon.

For information on the choice pieces to be showcased at the fair, and for the final schedule of the lecture series, visit www.nonesuchfair.com or follow @nonesuchfair on Instagram and www.facebook.com/thenonesuchfair.