Whether looted by Ferdinand Magellan or Ferdinand Marcos, the
Philippines has been pillaged by its conquerors for countless years. Yet it still has the second largest gold deposit in the world.
Some exquisite works are now on exhibit at Asia Society in New York City - Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms is a bittersweet testament to a rich culture and the greed that hounds it.
The exhibit showcases recently excavated objects that highlight the prosperity and achievement of the little-known Philippine kingdoms that flourished long before the Spanish discovered the region and colonized it.
The exhibition, which comprises approximately 120 objects from the tenth through thirteenth century, demonstrates sophisticated gold-working techniques developed during this period.
From tiny gold tweezers to fabulous pieces of jewelry - these items reveal an intriguing
window into the Philippine people and their lifestyle all but lost to us.
While the diverse objects offer clues about who produced and used them,
not much else about this once flourishing period remains.
The history and
true accounts of these sophisticated treasures and their creation are long lost.
Read more articles here:
New York Times : Review: ‘Philippine Gold: Treasures of ForgottenKingdoms’
New Yorker : ART: Philippine Gold
Asia Society : A Golden Discovery in the Philippines
If you missed it, here's a video of the exhibit.
If you missed it, here's a video of the exhibit.
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