A Cabinet Of Curiosities

Jewellery designer and curator par excellence Federico de Vera lends his impeccable style to what may possibly be the most thoughtprovoking exhibition of Philippine art and design

- Marga Manlapig

Mention the name Federico de Vera to anyone in New York’s artistic community, and you’ll hear people singing the praises of this incredibly eclectic jewellery designer.

Those in the know are aware that De Vera, his eponymous store in the Big Apple, is considered a repository for exceptionally fine objets d’art. The designer’s creativity holds full sway in pieces that feature natural elements, unusual forms, and the use of luxe materials such as rose-cut diamonds and Baroque pearls. But De Vera’s display goes beyond its owner’s creations, delving into beautifully curated collections made up of virtually everything from ivory-headed religious figures from the Spanish Colonial Era to rare paintings from famous artists in the earliest years of their careers.