OAKLAND, CA.- Important American art commanded over the top prices at Clars November 19th auction of Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry/Timepieces and Asian Art. This sale reported strong prices across all categories with a number of surprises fueled by highly competitive national and international bidding.

Highlights in Fine Art
American
La Migra, 1995, the major installation work by Barry McGee (American, b. 1966) in collaboration with Sandow Birk (American, b. 1962), came to the sale with the conservative estimate of $40,000 - $60,000. The bidding opened at $20,000 and this lot jumped rapidly by large increments finally closing and selling for $193,000.

Performing with the same vigorous bidding was the spectacular work in charcoal by Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978) titled Samson, a study of Victor Mature in the role from the 1949 movie, Samson and Delilah. Offered with an estimate of $50,000-70,000, this work climbed to a final selling price of $139,150.

Numerous other works offered flew past their high estimates. The beautifully executed harbor scene by Jane Peterson (American, 1876-1965) titled Fishing Boats, Honfleur, sold for well over high estimate at $22,990 as did the oil on canvas by Indian artist Ram Kumar (b. 1924), Untitled (Moving Landscape), 2004, which realized $21,780.

Nearly tripling high estimate was the oil on panel attributed to Paul Bril (Flemish, 1554-1626) titled Landscape with Peasants and Livestock. Offered with an estimate of $4,000 - $6,000, this work sold nicely for $16,940.

The two original oil paintings offered by Sri Lankan artist Senaka Senanayake (b. 1951) were well received by the market. The first titled The Mirror, 1969, sold for nicely over high estimate at $9,680. And the second work titled The Fishermen achieved the same price, solidly within estimate.

Also surpassing high estimate was Summer Trees, an oil on canvas by Laszlo Mednyanszky (Hungarian, 1852-1919). Expected to bring $7,000, this work achieved $9,450.

Completing the successful Fine Art offerings was Table 25 a la Cafetiere, Fleurs, Tasse et Citron Jaune, an early oil on canvas from 1917 by Jean Metzinger (French, 1883-1956) which commanded $36,300. Blue Dog Wearing a Tie, the acrylic on canvas by George Rodrigue (American, 1944-2013) also sold well within estimate for $16,940.

Highlights in Decorative Arts & Furnishings
Decorative Arts & Collections
A number of surprises were seen in this category which featured several special collections.

Continental Gothic limestone architectural fragments depicting biblical scenes and patrons were expected to sell for $1,500 - $2,500 but feated bidding on this lot drove the price much higher to $10,890.

Railroadiana collectors vied heatedly for a Negus New York "S.S. Dixie" ship's clock with brass plaque reading "Morgan's Louisiana & Texas Railroad & Steamship Co." Coming to the sale from the Estate of Alan Furth, vice chairman Santa Fe Southern Pacific Corp. president of Southern Pacific Co., and the first Chairman of Sprint, this clock was estimated to sell for $400 - $600 but achieved an impressive $7,260.

Fashion collectors were determined to own the two Hermes-Paris 35 Togo Birkin Leather Bags offered. One in black, the other tan, both sold for the over-high-estimate prices of $5,445 and $5,142 respectively.

Always in demand by historical collectors, a framed hand written and signed legal briefing by Abraham Lincoln dated May 30 1855, sold for $5,445.

Furnishings
Fine Mid-Century Modern and studio furniture pieces performed well. Topping these offerings was a Jack Rogers Hopkins sculpted low table, that sold nicely for $11,495.

A Gabriella Crespi 'Sculpture' table, executed in brushed stainless steel, circa 1970 sold well for $10,285 and an Italian Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte "Pistil" centerpiece circa 1961, achieved $8,470.

Selling for well over the high estimate was a 17th century Flemish tapestry depicting the Alexander Party After the fall of Babylon. Expected to achieve $7,000, this fine tapestry commanded $10,710.

Highlights in Jewelry
An exquisite Art Deco Tiffany & Co. diamond, synthetic sapphire, platinum and 14k yellow gold bracelet did not elude jewelry lovers who competed for this piece driving the final sale price to an impressive $25,410.

Rounding out the highlights in this category was a sapphire, diamond and 18k gold ring with an oval cut sapphire weighing 3.52 cts that achieved $7,260.

Highlights in Asian Art & Antiques
The Asian offerings had surprises as well. Expected to sell for $1,500, a Mongolian Buddhist sutra manuscript, the interior of the covers painted with bodhisattvas and the interior with printed pages in Mongolian script soared to an amazing $9,075.

A Chinese hardwood altar table, inset with a floating top panel, the apron pierced with peaches, pomegranate and tendrils, was also expected to bring $900 but also soared higher and higher to achieve $6,050.

Clars’ next Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry/Timepieces and Asian Art Auction will be held on Saturday and Sunday December 16th and 17th, 2017. The sales will begin promptly at 9:30am on Saturday and Sunday. Previews for this sale will be held Friday, December 15th from 1pm to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9:00 am and by appointment the week prior. A complete catalog is available online prior to the sale.