Stego’s Galleria Obscura
A Collection of Curious Things
From the Collection
I seem to have a talent for finding unusual things in Japanese surplus shops in the Philippines. Bringing them home is only the beginning; then comes the question of what they are and how they got here.
Explore the stories behind the paintings, carvings and curious objects in our collection—part detective work, part history, and occasionally a negotiation that takes six months.
◇ Objects with a Story ◇
Light & ornament
A Camel, a Lamp and a Japanese Surplus Shop in the Philippines
Sometimes the best souvenirs come from places you’ve never actually visited. What I didn’t know at the time was that I’d just discovered what appeared to be a traditional Pakistani …
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Carved mysteries
The Rice Goddesses Who Played Hide and Seek for Six Months
Two enormous wooden statues, one hopelessly overcrowded warehouse, six months of negotiations and a mystery that still isn’t entirely solved. I have a weakness for Japan Surplus shops. And this …
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Bronze & stillness
Kannon Bosatsu: A Lotus Rising from Stillness
At 39 cm high, this bronze Kannon Bosatsu has become one of the centrepieces of our collection. Its presence comes from the graceful pose and the expression that first drew …
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A face rediscovered
Frank Gallo’s Woman in the Rain — A Forgotten Face Found Under the Dust of Time
Sometimes the most interesting finds do not wait politely on a clean shelf, perfectly displayed and ready to be admired. Sometimes they hide in a dusty corner, inside a forgotten …
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Wood & music
The Lute Player from Oberammergau
This 35 cm high woodcarving from Oberammergau in Bavaria, Germany, is called “Lautenspielerin” — the lute player. It shows a young woman seated gracefully, holding her instrument close to her …
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Balinese carving
Sri Devi from Bali: A Hibiscus Wood Carving
This Sri Devi carving from Bali stands around 36 cm high and is one of the wooden pieces we have gathered for our collection over time. The hibiscus wood contributes …
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Two faces
Two Faces, One Spirit: The Quiet Mystery of a Wooden Mask
Some decorations hang on a wall and look nice. Others seem to watch the room, judge your life choices, and quietly know more than they are willing to say. This …
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An unexpected journey
The Incredible Journey of Corazon Volador: Coincidence or Message from Hereafter?
I am not a professional art collector. I am simply very good at finding reasons to wander through Japanese surplus shops here in the Philippines. Usually, I am curious about …
Discover the story →Curious finds, unexpected histories and the little treasures that followed us home.
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