Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-16
FILIPINO WOOD CARvERs.
Evidences of Their Beautiful Work In
Manila Church.

Manila Church.
From the San Francisco Chronicle.
There stands in the old walled city of Ma
Mia a church whose rare beauty should
win it place among the famed temples of
the world 1t 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 1879 and 1889
We're consumed in it's construction. and
success that was truly artistic crowned the
effort of 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 of effect there 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 workmen who so
closely followed their models. This incident
illustrates a peculiar trait in the FilipinOs.
They lack originality. but they are Won
derful imitators. Give their carvers a
model and they will duplicate to perfection.
Let their painters see picture, and they
will reproduce it on their own Instruments.
Probably the most artistic piece of cary
ing in the church Is the pulpit. 1t is a mas
SlFe dHdlT diIlAtu 70 one u Tie giant COL
umns close to the altar rail. On its sides
are series of panels. upon which have
been carved scenes depicting important
scriptural events. The pulpit has beauti-
fully carved base, and upon the outer side
of the balustrade are the figures of saints.
The figures have all been perfectly carved,
and there has been a wonderful regard for
detail. Proportions are perfect. and the eff
feet is at once harmonious and artistic. A
prodigious amount of labor was expended
upon the pulpit The Rev. Father Fran
cisco 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 admirable.
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 specimens of the skill of the
carvers. The floor 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 affects it. Steel is the only thing
that will outlast it. 1t is so hard that the
fashioning of it is very difficult but the ex-
cellent results obtained make 1t worthy of
the effort The art of wood carving has
long been taught to the Filipnos and the
traveller in their islands sees many samples
Of their work. 1t has reached Its greatest
perfection at the Jesuit College at Manila.
and the work in the Jesuit Church is in
comparably 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.