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Large Narra Wood Panel Attributed to José P. Alcántara, Philippines, 1940s
$24,000
£18,186.93
€20,958.33
CA$33,942.62
A$36,502.45
CHF 19,517.93
MX$440,209.13
NOK 246,817.57
SEK 224,882.58
DKK 156,605.19
About the Item
A monumental carved panel in solid Narra wood, attributed to José P. Alcántara—one of the most celebrated woodcarvers of the 20th century and a revered figure in the Philippines, where he is recognized as a national treasure. Alcántara’s work blends Spanish colonial iconography with indigenous storytelling, often rendered in grand relief panels that convey rural life, devotional themes, and regional identity with both sculptural depth and lyrical expression.
Carved from narra wood—a prized Southeast Asian hardwood revered for its density, warm tone, and fine grain—this panel combines the richness of mahogany with the depth and figure of rosewood. Traditionally reserved for important furnishings and heirloom pieces in Filipino culture, narra is both materially and symbolically enduring.
This example depicts a barefoot musician with guitar, flanked by stylized palm trees, a carabao (water buffalo), and a sheaf of grain—motifs rooted in agrarian symbolism and national pride. The carving is executed in deep relief with gracefully incised foliage, layered vegetation, and a scrolling border of foliate forms. The use of Narra, a prized hardwood native to the Philippines, adds tonal warmth and richness while showcasing the rhythmic chisel work.
Notably, the panel bears striking similarities to Alcántara’s monumental work in the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila, particularly in the treatment of billowing clouds behind the palms, the posed figure with stylized garments, and the soft sculptural transitions between forms. While the museum’s piece reflects a more mature hand, this example likely represents an earlier period in Alcántara’s career—possibly the late 1940s or early 1950s—when Art Deco sensibilities and softened lines still informed his aesthetic.
Panels of this scale and quality are exceedingly rare on the market. The vast majority of Alcántara carvings that surface today are smaller, tourist-scale works or decorative fragments—often produced later and with less narrative ambition. This panel, by contrast, maintains a commanding architectural presence and a high level of hand-carved detail, aligning it more closely with institutional examples and ceremonial pieces. It is especially rare to find such a work outside of a museum context.
Originally acquired in Cuba and later found in Honduras, the panel remained in the same family for generations. The 92-year-old former owner recalled it from his parents’ home since childhood, providing strong anecdotal provenance and anchoring the piece in the postwar era.
This is a powerful example of transpacific folk art—connecting the narrative traditions of the Philippines with the global design consciousness of the mid-20th century. For collectors of historic carving, tropical modernism, or culturally significant craftsmanship, it offers not only visual impact but institutional resonance.
As is typical of large solid-wood carvings of this age, the panel shows some natural age-related cracks and minor wood movement. These are stable, cosmetic in nature, and consistent with the material’s behavior over time. Narra is a dense and seasoned tropical hardwood, and given the panel’s decades of environmental settling, no further structural change is expected.
- Dimensions:Height: 90.25 in (229.24 cm)Width: 39.5 in (100.33 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- Style:Art Deco (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The panel shows expected age-related movement with stable cracks and a few minor losses along the lower edge—typical for hand-carved hardwood of this scale and period, and consistent with its authenticity and age.
- Seller Location:Kilmarnock, VA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU883045843082
About the Seller
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