The evening times., 1900-01-30
FILIPINO WooD-CARvERs.
Church Decorations That show Their
Remarkable Ingenuity.


From the San Francisco Chronicle.)
There stands in the old walled city OF
Manila a church whose rare beauty should
win il a place among the famed temples
OF the world. Ii is the church OF ST. 1gna-
thus of Loyola, and, as the name would in
dicate. was erected by the Jesuit fathers,
The ten wears that elapsed between 1879
and 1889 were consumed in its construc-
ton. and a success that was truly artistic
crowned the efforts OF the decade The
exterior is neither imposing nor artistic,
but il was upon the interior that effort
was centred and few structures in the
world can boast Of the perfect harmony of
effect there attained. Practically the en-
tire interior is done in the native hard
woods of the Philippine Islands that have
been carved by master hands. remark
able fact in connection with the work is
that il was all done by natives. The de-
signs we're all made in Europe, but every
credit is due the Workmen who so closely
followed their models. This incident Illus
trates a peculiar trait in the F1lipnos.
They Iacl, originality. but they are Won
derful imitators Give their carvers
model and they will duplicate to perfec-
ton. Let their painters see picture and
they will reproduce ii on their own instru-
ments.
Probably the most artistic piece o. caFv-
ing in the church is the pulpit. 1t is
massive affair affixed to one OF the giant
columns close to the altar rail. On Its
sides are a series of panels upon which
have been carved scenes depicting I'M
portant Scriptural events. The pulpit has
a beautifully carved base, and upon the
outer side Of the balustrade are the hg-
ures of the saints. The figures have all
been perfectly carved and there has been
rJ for oil
are perfect and the effect is at once har-
monious and artistic. A prodigious amount
of labor was expended upon the pulpit.
The Rev. Father Francisco Slmc, one OF
the rectors of the church, under whose di-
rection much of the work has been done,
relates that the carving of the base OF the
pulpit consumed two years, and that the
balustrade occupied nearly as much time.
Next to the pulpit, the ceiling, which is
entirely of carved wood, attracts the most
attention.
There are a series of intricate designs
that show the genius OF art and the skill
of the carver. and the effect is admirable.
The columns, capitals, and arches have
also been done in wood, and they, too
enhance the beauty of the church. Tie
aItars-one main and two side-are also
of wood, and show splendid specimens ol
the skill of their carvers The hoor Is
also of wood, and the sheen of its polish
serves to heighten the general effect. Most
of the wood used is malove, best of all the
fifty varieties of hard wood that grow In
the Philippines. 1t is capable OF resisting
any of the insects that attack wood, and
neither heat nor water affect it. Steel is
! the only thing that will outlast it, 1t is
so hard that the fashioning Of 1t is very
difficult, but the excellent results obtained
| make Il worthy Of the effort: The are o.
| woodcarying has long been taught to the
Filipinos and the traveller In their island:
| sees many samples of their work. 1t ha:
| reached its greatest perfection at the Jes
uit College at Manila, and the work II
| tbe Jesuit church is incomparaby the bes
| 50 far done. Twentythree years ago the
| students OF the college sent an elaborate
piece OF carving to the Centennial Exposi
! tion at Philadelphia, and with it won frs
| prize.