OAKLAND, CA.- Clars Auction Gallery hosted their Important Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry and Asian Art Auction on May 20th, 2018. While strong prices were seen across the board, Decorative Arts & Furnishings led the sale with several lots going for well over estimate and numerous Fine Art offerings surpassing high estimates as well.

THE DECORATIVE ARTS & FURNISHINGS
Furniture designs by Finn Juhl (Denmark, 1912-1989) stole the show on Sunday, May 20th at Clars with both pieces offered setting a new US auction record. Juhl, the renowned famous Danish architect, interior and industrial designer, is credited for introducing Danish Modern to America. Presented at the sale was his ‘Judas’ rosewood dining table, circa 1950. Estimated to achieve $10,000 – 15,000, bidding drove the final sale price on this lot to over twice high estimate commanding $34,650.

Next, a lot of 8 Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder Egyptian rosewood chairs, each upholstered in blue was offered. This set was expected to sell for $20,000 – 30,000 but once bidding started, the battle began driving the final sale price to over twice its high estimate to $75,600.

Musical instrument collectors bid strongly on several important lots offered. Topping the music category was a Boesendorfer Model 290 Imperial Concert grand piano that sold for over high estimate for $51,425. Following suit, guitar collectors vied heavily for two offerings. A 1939 CF Martin acoustic guitar tripled high estimate selling for $19,360 followed by a 1959 Fender Jazzmaster that also surpassed expectations going off at $10,890.

A Meissen porcelain group, which depicted the Triumph of Venus, circa 1800, doubled expectations when it sold impressively for $15,730.

Rounding out the highlights from this category was an American Studio Furniture roll top desk, attributed to Michael Coffey, that sold for $10, 285. Topping the sterling offerings was a pair of French House of Maison Puiforcat candelabras, executed in the Rococo style, which sold for $10,800.

THE FINE ART
Fine Art had several exciting sales. Topping this category was an oil on canvas by Maqbool Fida Husain (Indian, 1915-2011) titled Dame with Elephant, 1975 which sold nicely within estimate for $54,450.

Works by Paul Sawyier (American, 1865-1917) experienced high demand at this sale. Presented first was his watercolor titled Evening on the Elkhorn that carried an estimate of $10,000 – 15,000 but soared past that selling for $22,620. His oil on board titled Fountain and Formal Rose Garden also performed well earning $20,570.
A number of Latin American works from the Mexican Museum of San Francisco were offered. The highlight of this collections two works by Byron Galvez (Mexican, 1941 - 2009). The first, Untitled (los tres bailarines), 1986, an oil on canvas, sold for $10,080. Commanding the same price was another oil on canvas titled Love, 1987

Works by Peanuts creator, Charles "Sparky" Schulz (American, 1922-2000) continue to captivate the world as was evidenced by the seven (7) original inks on paper, United Features Syndicate, Inc. daily comics, that were offered. These original works came from the estate of Lorraine Webster who was Shulz’s personal secretary for 28 years. Offered separately, the collection sold for an impressive $67,920.

Rounding out the top sellers in Fine Art was the oil on canvas titled Balinese Dancer by Roland Strasser (American/Austrian, 1895-1974) which earned $24, 200. From artist Paul Wonner (American, 1920-2018), his oil on canvas titled Still Life with Femme au Coq, circa 1953, sold for $15,120. Snow Leopard by American artist Ira Yeager (b. 1938) sold for nicely over estimate at $10,890 and by Robert William Wood (American, 1889-1979) his lovely oil on canvas titled Polychrome Meadows (Blue Bonnets) earned $10,285.

A surprise was had during the Saturday session on an 18th century European School painting titled Old Testament with Wheat from the Harvest. This work was conservatively estimated to sell for $500 – 700, but in an exciting turn of events, heated bidding drive this piece to the final sale price of $8,820.

THE JEWELRY & TIMEPIECES
The jewelry offerings were highlighted by a diamond and 18k yellow gold bracelet which featured 33 full-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 8 cts. Selling over estimate, this piece achieved $7,865.

Selling for 6 times high estimate was a Marco Bicego diamond and 18k yellow gold bracelet which featured 45 full-cut diamonds and (8) 18k yellow gold textured and articulated strands. Estimated to bring $1,200 – 1,600, this stunning bracelet sold for $7,260.

THE ASIAN ART & ANTIQUES
Once again in May, Himalayan Thangkas were the highlight in this category. A pair of painted thangkas, Eighteen Arhats, surpassed estimate selling for $8,470. Coming to Clars June 17, 2018, will be more thangkas as well as a group of Huanghuali furniture.