In a historic ceremony at the National Museum of the Philippines, officials from the Prado Museum in Madrid formally returned three exquisite 17th-century ivory reliquaries. These objects, which depict scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary, were crafted by Chinese and Filipino artisans in Manila during the height of the Galleon Trade and were sent to Spain as gifts for the royal court, where they had remained for over 300 years.
The repatriation is part of a broader cultural exchange program aimed at reconnecting the Philippines with its colonial-era artistic heritage. Experts emphasize that these Sino-Christian ivories are critical examples of the early modern globalization of art, blending European iconography with Asian craftsmanship and materials. The reliquaries will be the centerpiece of a new permanent gallery dedicated to the trans-Pacific heritage of the Philippines.