September 11, 2015

Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms at Asia Society Museum in New York, September 11, 2015 – January 3, 2016

“The exhibition showcases recently excavated objects that highlight the prosperity and achievements of the little-known Philippine Kingdoms that flourished long before the Spanish discovered the region and colonized it. Comprising approximately 120 objects from the tenth through thirteenth century, the exhibition demonstrates sophisticated gold-working techniques developed during this period. The vast majority of works in the exhibition are on loan from the Ayala Museum and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gold Collection and have never been shown outside of the Philippines.” — Asia Society Museum

1. Kinnari

Kinnari. Surigao, ca. 10th–13th century. Gold.  H. 4 ¾ x W. 2 15/16 in. (12 x 7.5 cm). Ayala Museum Collection, Cat. No. 81.5189. Photography by Neal Oshima; Image courtesy of Ayala Museum

2. Ear ornament_73.4192

Ear ornament. Eastern Visayas or Northeastern Mindanao, ca. 10th–13th century. Gold. Diam. 1 5/8 in. (4.2 cm). Ayala Museum Collection, Cat. No. 73.4192. Photography by Neal Oshima; Image courtesy of Ayala Museum

3. Set of three large bangles

Set of three large bangles. Baggao, Cagayan province, Luzon, ca. 10th–13th century. Gold. A: W. 2 11/16 x Diam. 2 15/16 in. (6.8 x 7.5 cm). B: W. 1 9/16 x Diam. 2 13/16 in. (4.0 x 7.2 cm). C: W. 1 1/16 x Diam. 2 15/16 in. (2.7 x 7.5 cm). Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, G6P-1983-0003, G6P-1983-0005, G6P-1983-0006. Photography by Wig Tysmans; Image courtesy of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines)

4. Ear ornaments_75.4229ab

Ear ornaments. Butuan, Augusan del Norte, ca. 10th–13th century. Gold.  H. 1 1/2 x W. 1 1/4 in. (3.5 x 3.3 cm). Ayala Museum Collection, Cat. No. 75.4229AB. Photography by Neal Oshima; Image courtesy of Ayala Museum

5. Goblet_81.5166

Goblet. Surigao, ca. 10th–13th century. Gold. H. 1 1⁄4 x Diam. 3 1/6 in. (3.1 x 7.8 cm). Ayala Museum Collection, Cat. No. 81.5166. Photography by Neal Oshima; Image courtesy of Ayala Museum

6. Halter_81.5186

Halter. Surigao, ca. 10th–13th century. Gold. L. 59 1/16 x W. 1 1/16 (150 x 2.7 cm). Ayala Museum Collection, Cat. No. 81.5186. Photography by Neal Oshima; Image courtesy of Ayala Museum

7. Set of two waist cord weights

Set of two waist cord weights. Surigao Treasure, Surigao del Sur province, ca. 10th–13th century. Gold. Each: H. 2 3/8 in. (6 cm). Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, G7P-1981-0003. Photography by Wig Tysmans; Image courtesy of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines)

12. Ear ornaments_76.4479ab

Ear ornaments. Arasasan, Mindanao. Ca. 10th–13th century. A: H. 4 11/16 x W. 3 1/8 in. (11.9 x 7.9 cm); B: H. 4 11/16 x W. 3 1/16 in. (11.9 x 7.8 cm). Ayala Museum Collection, Cat. No. 76.4479AB. Photography by Neal Oshima; Image courtesy of Ayala Museum

9. Waistband_81.5176

Waistband. Surigao, ca. 10th–13th century. Gold. L. 26 7/8 x W. 1 15/16 (68.2 x 4.9 cm). Ayala Museum Collection, Cat. No. 81.5176. Photography by Neal Oshima; Image courtesy of Ayala Museum

10. Set of two belt buckles

Set of two belt buckles. Butuan, Agusan del Norte province, ca. 10th–13th century. Gold. Each: H. 4 ¼ in. (10.8 cm). Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, G7P-1981-0001, G7P-1981-0002. Photography by Wig Tysmans; Image courtesy of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines)

11. Ear ornaments_G5P-1983-0018

Ear ornaments. Mindoro island, ca. 10th–13th century. Gold. Each: W. 2 ¾ in. (7 cm). Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, G5P-1983-0018. Photography by Wig Tysmans; Image courtesy of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines)

8. Mask_76.4795

Mask. Butuan, Augusan del Norte, ca. 10th–13th century. Gold. H. 8 7/16 x W. 6 7/16 in. (21.5 x 16.3 cm). Ayala Museum Collection, Cat. No. 76.4795. Photography by Neal Oshima; Image courtesy of Ayala Museum

Images courtesy Asia Society Museum