The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-30
FILIPINO wooD-cARvERs.
Church Decorations That show Their
Remarkable Ingenuity.

ttrcm the san Francisco Chrcuiclel
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. Igna-
thus OF LoyOla, and, as the name would in
dictate. was erected by the Jesuit fathers
The ten years 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 b natives. The de-
signs we're all made in Europe but every
credit is due the WOrkmen who 50 closely
followed their models. This incident illus
trates a peculiar trait in the FilipinOs
They lack originality. but they are won
derful imitators. Give their carvers q
model and they will duplicate 10 perfec-
ton. Let their painters see picture and
they will reproduce 1t or sheir own instru-
ments.
Probably the most artistic piece o. carv-
ing in the church is the pulpit. Il Is a
massive affair affixed 10 one OF the giant
columns close to the altar rail. On its
sides are 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 fg-
ures Of the saints. The figures nave ~
teen perfectly carved and there has been
a wonderful regard for detail. Proportion :
are perfect and the effect is at once hs--
mOntOus and artistic, A prodigiogs amount
OF labor was expended upon the pulpit,
The Rev. Father Francisco Sine. one Of
the reetors Of the church upder 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
balustTade occupied nearly as much time
Next to the pulpit, the ceiling, which is
entirely OF carved wood, attracts the most
attention.
There are 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
altars-one main and two side-are also
OF wood, and show splendid specimens OF
the skill of their carvers. The floor is
also of wood, and the sheen Of its polish
serves to heighten tie 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 il. Il is
so hard that the fashioning OF It is very
difficult, but the excellent results obtained
make ii worthy Of the effort. The are OF
wOOdcarying has long been taught TO the
FilipinOs and the traveller In their islands
sees many samples Of their work. II has
reached its greatest perfection at the Jes-
uit College at Manila, and the work in
the Jesuit church is incomparably the best
so far done. Twenty-three years ago the
students OF the college sent an elaborate
piece OF carving to the Centennial ExposI-
tion at Philadelphia, and with it won first
prize.