Photo via UST Museum
In October last year, National Geographic ran a story on the illegal trade of ivory icons in the Philippines. One of the photos it used to illustrate the story was of a 19th-century cruficix that belongs to the University of Santo Tomas Museum of Arts and Sciences.
The crucifix has been loaned to various museums abroad as an example of Spanish colonial art. Along with nine other ivory icons currently on display at UST Museum, it was made way before the ban on worldwide ivory trade in 1989.
“The UST Museum,” says museum director Father Isidro Abaño, OP, “in no way condones the collection and commissioning of new art in ivory. However, it also recognizes its responsibility to play a leading role in safeguarding, documenting and conserving these antique ivory pieces that have become an irreplaceable cultural heritage of the university and of the Church.”
“Ars Eboris Sarci (Art of the Sacred Ivory): Ivory and Controversy” is at UST Museum of Arts and Sciences, 3/F University of Santo Tomas Main Bldg, España Boulevard, Manila; +63 7811815. Tue-Sat 8.30am-4.30pm. Till 28 Sept. PHP30 for students, PHP50 for non-students.
