The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-04-21
FILIPINO WOOD CARvERs.
Evidences of Their Beautiful wo

Evidences of Their Beautiful Work
$50 in a Manila Church.
There stands in the old walled city of
Manila a church whose rare beauty
should win 1t place among the famed
temples of the world. It is the Church
of St. Ignatius. of Loyola, and, as the
name would indicate was erected by the
Jesuit fathers. The ten years that
elapsed between 1870 and 1859 were con-
surned in its construction, and success
that was truly artistic crowned the effort
Of a decade. The exterior is neither
imposing nor artistic, but it was upon the
interior that effort was conferred, and few
structures in the world can boast Of the
perfect harmony ef4eHeet theae-attained
Practically the entire interior is done in
the native hardwoods of the Philippine
islands, that have been carved by master
hands. A remarkable fact in connection
with the work is that it was all done by
natives. The designs were all made in
Europe, but every credit is due the work.
men who SO closely followed their models.
This incident illustrates peculiar trait
in the Filipinos. They lack originality,
but they are wonderful imitators. Give
their carvers model and they will dupli-
a picture, and they will reproduce it on
their own instruments.
Probably the most artistic piece of cary
Ing in the church is the pulpit. It is
massive affair affixed to one Of the giant
Columns close to the altar rail. On tts
sues are a series of panels, upon which
nave oeen carved scenes depicting import.
ant scriotural events The pulpit has a
oeautltuily carved base, and upon the
outer side Of the balustrade are the fig.
,ures OF saints. The figures have all been
perfectly carved, and there has been a
wonderful regard for detail. Proportions
are, perfect, and the effect is at once
harmonious and artistic. A prodfeious
amount of labor was expended upon tho
pulpit. The Rev. Father Francisco Simo.
one OF the rectors Of the church. under
whose direction 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 series of intricate designs
that show the genius Of art and the skill
of the carver, and the effect is adnira-
bic. The columns, capitals and arches
have also been done in wood, and they.
too, enhance the beauty OF the church.
The altars-one main and two side-are
also of wood, and show splendid speci-
mems of the skill Of the caryers The floor
fs also Of wood, and the sheen OF ito
polish serves to heighten the general ct.
feet. Most Of the wood used IL malove,
best Of all the fifty varieties Of hard
wood that grow IN the Philippines. Il,
is capable ofsresisting any Of the insects
that attack wood, and neither heat nor
water affects It: Steel is the only thing
that Will outlast it. It is 80 hard that
the fashioning OF It is very difficult, but
the excellent results obtained make It
worthy Of the effort. The art Of wood
carving has long been taught to tho
FfIfpinos. and the traveller In their is
lands sees many samples Of their work
IT has reached its greatest perfection at
the Jesuit college at Manila, and the
work In the Jesuit church is incompara-
bly, the best SO far done. Twenty-three
years ago the students Of the college sent
an elaborate piece of carving to the
centennial exposition at Philadelphia, and
with it won first prize.-san Francisco
Chronicle.