OAKLAND, CA.- Clars Auction Gallery will present an important work by Piet Mondrian on Sunday, May 20th, as part of their Important Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry and Asian Art Auction. This impressive work will be offered along with several other investment level works and property which come to this sale from important museums, estates and collections.

THE FINE ART
A painting, hidden from the public for several generations, will surely get the art world talking as this piece has never before come to public offering. The work by Piet Mondrian (Dutch, 1872-1944), titled Cottages Along the River Gein Lined with Trees, circa 1905, was created just after the Fauvist movement began to inspire the already Impressionistic influences in his work. The movement, which began in 1904, is seen in the bright pinks, reds, and blues in the river Gein, contrasted by the very Hague school style of the cottages along the river in the painting. Little cows dance around the trees that are just globs of white and black if observed closely. This work was created right before Mondrian dropped one of the a’s in his last name to become more accepted by the Parisian Avant-Garde. Therefore, by its signature “Mondriaan,” we know the work must have been painted around 1905 as he left for Paris and dropped the a to become Mondrian in 1906. This work is a fascinating look into the naturalistic period of the young artist’s changing style on the brink of breaking into the Neoplasticist movement for which he is now most famous. This historically rich painting will be offered for $300,000-$500,000.

The Fine Art offerings in this sale will present a number of other important works. Highlighting the Latin American section of the sale will be a large collection of outstanding oil paintings, works on paper, and prints from the Mexican Museum (San Francisco, CA) Among the artists represented by these works will be Byron Galvez (Mexican, 1941 - 2009), Diego Rivera (Mexican, 1886 - 1957), Francisco Zuniga (Mexican, 1912 - 1998), Rufino Tamayo (Mexican, 1899-1991), Miguel Covarrubias (Mexican, 1904-1957), and David Alfaro Siqueiros (Mexican, 1896-1974). Love, 1997, oil on canvas by Byron Galvez]

The American Art
Having held some of the highest auction records thus far for Contemporary California sculptor, Richard MacDonald (American, b. 1946), Clars will be once again offering six (6) of the artist's most desired bronzes from a private collection in Vancouver, Canada. MacDonald's figurative work truly depicts the beauty of the human body and the spirit behind it with dancers, performers, and athletes as his subject matter. One such work depicts the exquisite beauty and physical form of a ballerina in bronze titled, Sissone, 2010 which is estimated at $40,000-60,000.

One of the most beloved cartoonists of all times is Peanuts creator, Charles "Sparky" Schulz (American, 1922-2000). Schulz lived and worked in Santa Rosa, California where he created daily and Sunday comics featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Sally, Linus and many others. Schultz's personal secretary for 28 years was Loraine Lytle Webster (Sebastopol, California). Clars is pleased to be offering seven (7), original inks on paper, United Features Syndicate, Inc., daily comics from Mrs. Webster's estate. Among the works to be offered will be All right team, let’s show ‘em we never give up!..., 1982. Each will offered with an estimate of $8,000-12,000.

After the enormous success in its February 2018 auction of a watercolor hammering at $45,000 (from an $8,000-12,000 estimate), Clars will be offering two more works by Kentucky artist Paul Sawyier (American, 1865-1917). The first, a lovely oil on board titled, Fountain and Formal Garden, will be offered for $30,000-50,000. The second is a bucolic, river sunset scene watercolor titled, Evening on the Elkhorn, which will be offered for $10,000-15,000.

THE DECORATIVE ARTS & FURNISHINGS
From significant musical instruments to sterling, this portion of the sale will present a number of exceptional and rare pieces.

For musical instrument collectors, a magnificent Boesendorfer Imperial Concert grand piano will be offered for $30,000-50,000. In guitars, a 1938 Martin 000-28 acoustic guitar, is valued conservatively at $4,000-6,000, and a 1959 Fender Jazzmaster carries an estimate of $4,000-6,000.

From a group of Pre-Columbian pieces will be an Olmec seated figure that is estimated to achieve $20,000-40,000. (Provenance: Sotheby’s New York December 1, 1983 Sale 5118 lot 4 EX: Ben Heller Collection)

A very rare Russian silver and enamel decorated presentation sabre and dagger, originally presented to Boris Yeltsin will be offered for $25,000-35,000. Furthering the fine sterling selection, a pair of French House of Maison Puiforcat sterling silver candelabras is expected to bring $15,000-20,000, and a custom Tiffany & Co. sterling silver snake vase is valued at $4,000-$6,000.

Making a rare appearance for World’s Fair collectors will be eight hand-carved pillars from the Ceylon Tea Pavilion/Ceylon Exhibition Hall from the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. Each pair carries an estimate of $4,000-6,000.

For American history collectors, a signed Abraham Lincoln presidential appointment dated May 18, 1864, is estimated conservatively at $3,000-5,000. Rounding out the highlights will be a Meissen Triumph of Venus figural group carries an estimate of $5,000-7,000, and a Hawaiian koa wood poi bowl (calabash), 19th century estimated at $4,000-6,000.

And for Mid-Century aficionados, Clars be offering a Finn Juhl dining suite including (8) Egyptian chairs and Judas table, circa 1950. The chairs are estimated at $20,000-30,000, and the table will be offered for $10,000-15,000.

THE JEWELRY & TIMEPIECES
A number of high-value jewelry pieces will be offered at this sale. Among the featured pieces is a 132 ct. total weight emerald, diamond and 18k white gold bracelet that carries an estimated of $10,000 – 12,000. Carrying the same estimate will be a 16 ct tanzanite, diamond and 18k yellow gold brooch/necklace.

Among the other jewelry highlights will be an 8ct. total weight diamond and 18k yellow gold bracelet and a pair of Tiffany & Co. 3.55 ct. total weight diamond and 18k yellow gold earrings.

THE ASIAN ART & ANTIQUES
The highlight of this category will be the presentation of a collection of Himalayan thangkas from a Reno (NV) collection. In the April 2018 sale, the collection of Himalayan thangkas offered saw very impressive results. The thangka Avalokitesvara sold for $36,300 with the total collection achieving over $81,000.

Clars’ Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry and Asian Art Auction will be held on Saturday and Sunday May 19th and 20th, 2018. The sales will begin promptly at 9:30am on Saturday and Sunday. Previews for this sale will be held Friday, May 18th 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.