On Bohol Urnas or A Small Urna Primer

Original Bohol Urna w/ an antique grada from another urna.

 A few weeks ago, my dealer brought me to his source at one of those far-flung towns in my province. There, I spotted among the warehouse bric-a-brac three folk santoses and these three Bohol urnas or home altars.  They were quaint, and looked run down but the patina of antiquity was exquisite.

My largest Bohol Urna with intricate carvings. The grada is suspiciously recent.

The corona of the above-mentioned urna is suspiciously modern.

I had a difficult time sleeping then. I researched on the allure of Bohol urnas and urnas in general and it seemed that this is a highly collectable type of Philippine antique. Why? It appeals to the Filipinos who are mostly Catholics, and having these would exude an Old World Hispanic air inside their homes. Secondly, because they are prominently displayed at the sala (living rooms) as altars and reliquaries, these give their owners a sense of being wealthy.  Lastly, some would have them as a devotional artifact thus, enriching their Catholic faith.  In my case, I adore them more for their historical value and their artistic merit. It lends an atmosphere of old Latin America (which is presently chic in this tropical country of ours) that is reminiscent of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Isabelle Allende. And the niche-like design of urnas gives the antique santos a much-pumped up appearance in the same way a Thai spirit house would enhance a tropical garden. It must be the spirituality in the housing.

According to Guy Custodio,

 The URNA, a miniature (both in the Baroque and Rococo style) housing for santos made up of molave slices pegged together by mortise. The overall surfaces have floral and architectural relief, deeply carved and painted with oil colors; some were even gilded. Very similar to a tabernacle except the structure is elevated on a grada; a polygonal panel that is wider at the bottom with stepped sides. The center compartment where the santo is housed has sliding doors often with a painting of a chalice. 

One can see the grada on both of my urnas.  They are those carved step-like structures that form the platform of the urnas.  This means that the grada is structurally separate from the urna wherein one can simply lift and detach the urna and display it on its own. Of course, collectors do not like this because it would render the set incomplete.  Others however, would display the grada on their own as a wall decoration similar in treatment to those dismemebered calado from old houses.  Apart from the grada, there's the top carving (the term of which I do not know) and is also detachable from the urna.  Thus, if you have the three structures together, and they look as if they are not pieced together from different urnas ala Frankenstein, then you can command a good price for it.

Speaking of prices, I have noticed that 10k can get you a repro-kitch urna, while 15k-20k can get you an antique but grada-deficient urna while 35k-50k can get you a genuine (?) deal. But supply and demand can be a bitch, so prices tend to fluctuate. Years before there were a lot of urnas, a glut even, among Manila collectors. Now, you are lucky if you can find a minor piece. So deal or no deal?


I have learned from my online research that there are two types of urnas. One from Northern Luzon and the other from Bohol.  One of the few online people who frequent Pinoy antique forums is Mr. Romeo Allanigue better known among peers as "greyeminence". He commented that the two types of urnas are different in terms of design and structure. He said:

greyeminence's Ilocos urna. No grada here!

"...while most Bohol urnas are of molave due to its abundance in the island, Ilocos urnas are usually of narra. Boholano artisans applied paint directly on wood while the Ilocanos had it primed with gesso.  Bohol urnas look denser and generally, carvings are less refined while ilocos urnas seem lighter because of "calado"-like execution.  Ilocanos applied gold leaf more generously than boholanos - an impression i got from well preserved pieces i've seen."  He added: "While Bohol urnas had vermilion as predominant color, the ones from ilocos is turmeric yellow."

Furthermore, Mr. Alex R. Castro from the site "And All the Angels and Saints", concurred that "the province of Bohol is known for its very distinctive 19th c. urnas that are easily recognizable by their vivid polychromed colors and their simple structure, with parts out together by pegs and joints. Each piece is carved in low relief, with floral and vegetal motifs concentrated on the two side panels anchored with columns, the topperboard and the base."

I admire their insights and perspectives on this subject. It is disheartening to note that such a fascinating form of artwork is sorely lacking of good definitive literature. I hope some kindred soul similar to Cynthia Valdez or Jaime Laya would publish a master opus on this.


Going back to my acquisitions, I can safely say that these two definitely are from Bohol.  The patina is wonderful with the age of the wood showing.  Also the second smaller urna had its paint layers exposed indicating that this is unlikely a one-time painted antiqued counterfeit. On some spots I can even see gold leaf/gold paint jutting out of the vermillion layer. 

I think they are a keeper. And if you can find a good deal, get it.


Other examples of Philippine urnas can be seen here in Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=bohol%20urna

Price: Withheld