OAKLAND, CA.- Clars Auction Gallery will host a major Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry and Asian Art Auction on Saturday and Sunday, September 15 and 16, 2018. The investment level works and property come to this sale from prominent California estates as well as museums, private institutions and special collections. The following is just a glimpse at the exceptional property to be offered.

THE FINE ART
Clars will offer another work on paper by Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978) titled “Study - Crestwood Commuter Station,” (for the cover illustration, Saturday Evening Post, November 16, 1946). This meticulously realistic charcoal of commuters coming to and from a busy train station is pure Americana at its best and will be offered at $70,000-100,000. In November 2018, Clars realized enormous success with the charcoal study by Rockwell, Samson (Victor Mature) from the 1949 movie “Samson and Delilah,” achieving the final selling price of $139,150 from an estimate of $50,000-70,000. The important work to be offered on September 16th comes to the sale from a prominent estate in Menlo Park, California. In addition, a separate lot will contain a group of Norman Rockwell memorabilia.

From the corporate collection of the Nestlé Dreyer's Ice Cream Company (Oakland, California), a spectacular oil on canvas titled, Greek Fishing Boat (1992), by Gregory Kondos (American, b. 1923) will be offered at $25,000-45,000. Born from Greek immigrant parents in Lynn, Massachusetts, Kondos and his family moved to Sacramento, California in 1927. Outside of his Northern California paintings, much of his subject matter comes from his travels to Europe, including Greece. This large canvas is one such example and is impressive in its subtle blue tones depicting the bright Mediterranean Sea and sky.

Clars will also be offering over forty works from the art collection of Peter Selz (Berkeley, California). Rick Unruh, Vice President and Director of Fine Art at Clars stated, “Peter Selz is a legend in the field of art history internationally and has been recognized as such by both academics and artists. We are truly excited about being chosen to offer his special collection of art.”

Mr. Selz taught at the University of California, Berkeley, from 1965-1988 where he concurrently served as founder and director of the University Art Museum from 1965-1973. Before joining UC Berkeley, Selz served as Curator of Painting and Sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art, New York from 1958-1965. Many of these works were gifted and dedicated to Mr. Selz by the artists. One of the many highlights from the collection is the acrylic on paper, Boxer-Etta (2002), by Robert H. Colescott (American, 1925–2009) estimated at $6,000-9,000. Having written several books on the artist (such as “The Kinetic Years”), two exceptional bronze sculptures by Fletcher Benton (American, b. 1931) from Mr. Selz’s collection will be offered - such as Block on Blocks.

EUROPEAN FINE ART
A large linocut by Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973) will be the featured multiple at this sale. Titled, Femme Au Collier (1959), this impressive work is estimated at $40,000-60,000.

From French artists, the top offering will be the oil on canvas by Henri Jean Guillaume Martin (French, 1860–1943). Titled Marine, this work will be offered at $30,000-50,000.

Two paintings by the Post-Impressionist Rouen School artist, Robert Antoine Pinchon (French, 1886-1943), will be offered for the first time at auction. Recently authenticated by Alain Letailleur—the expert of Pichon’s work, La Cathedrale d'Amiens and L’eglise de Varengeville sur Mer will be included in the forthcoming catalog raisonne of the artists paintings. These exceptional works will be offered at $10,000-15,000 and $5,000-$7,000.

The Old Masters Collection
A large collection of Old Master paintings from a Santa Monica estate will also be a highlight of the September sale. Collecting from Sothebys over the years, this estate amassed a very impressive collection of works including a painting that could be a larger version of Benjamin West’s famous "Cromwell Dissolving the Large Parliament,” a portrait of a Noble Woman attributed to Daniel Mytens the Younger (Dutch, 1644-1688), a portrait of an older man attributed to Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577–1640), and a rare oil on canvas by Moritz Michael Daffinger (Austrian, 1790–1849).

Nautical Works
There will be a large collection of items relating to Pacific Mail Steamers including paintings, such as the oil on canvas by Alfred Finlayson (British, 19th century) titled The Pacific Mail Steamer 'China' - San Francisco to the Orient (1889) to be offered at $10,000-15,000, a covered tureen, circa 1850, inscribed to W. C. Stout, Pacific Mail's Panama Agent, estimated at $6000-9000, and a Presentation Goblet (PMSS), presented to Civil War figure Capt. WH Parker, who was then captain of Pacific Mail Steamer, by San Francisco silversmith William K. Vanderslice, also estimated at $6,000-9,000. Continuing in the nautical offerings will be two large ship models. The first is a model built by Thomas Fordham of the paddle wheel steamer “California” built in 1848 for the Pacific Steamship Company. The second is a model of American President Line’s SS. President Cleveland.

THE DECORATIVE ARTS & FURNISHINGS
A spectacular Tiffany Studios New York leaded glass table lamp, circa 1910, will be the highlight of the impressive lighting to be offered. Executed in the Woodbine pattern, this lamp carries an estimate of $18,000 – 25,000.

A large collection of art glass will be offered at this sale coming from the same important Menlo Park (CA) estate as the Norman Rockwell work on paper. Works by Daum, France will highlight this extensive collection including a limited edition Cupidon sculpture and a Jean-Francois Leroy for Daum amber elephant. Another stunning glass highlight will be a Dino Rosin 'Cappa Bolla Grande' Murano glass centerpiece that is estimated at $7,000-10,000.

Also coming from the Menlo Park (CA) estate will be a collection of luxury items including Hermes handbags. Among these offerings will be a Hermes Paris Kelly Sport ostrich cross body handbag and a Hermes Sac A Main Boldie 37 each of which carry an estimate of $4,000 – 6,000.

To be offered in furniture will be a large collection of Berkeley Mills furniture including a dining suite, sideboards, sofa and club chairs. A large collection of Danish modern furniture will be offered as well including a rosewood dining suite, desks and credenza.

A truly wonderful piece of San Francisco history and architecture comes from the historic Bank of Italy founded by A.P. Giannini in 1904. Giannini revolutionized the banking industry in America and Bank of Italy later became the Bank of America that we know today. A circa 1927 architectural panel from one of his original Bank of Italy’s buildings will be offered with an estimate of $5,000 – 7,000. Also to be offered will be additional items related to Giannini including Mrs. A.P. Giannini’s Tiffany & Co., New York 14kt gold glass eye case.

Rounding out the highlights of this category will be a collection of African and Native American art and artifacts that will be offered during both the Saturday and Sunday sessions. Among these highlights will be a Navajo Transitional blanket and a 19th century Hawaiian koa wood poi bowl.

THE JEWELRY & TIMEPIECES
Extraordinary diamond jewelry and a rare Rolex wristwatch will be the highlights in this category.

Topping this category will be a round brilliant-cut diamond and sapphire 14k white gold ring with diamond weighing 5.87 cts. This stunning piece carries an estimate of $25,000 – 40,000. For timepiece collectors, a rare Rolex Daytona Cosmograph Stainless Steel Wristwatch, Ref: 6239, will be offered with an estimate of $15,000 – 30,000.

Among the other highlights will be an emerald-cut diamond and platinum ring (diamond weighing 3.10 cts) that is estimated at $8,000 – 12,000 followed by a lady’s Bell Epoque diamond, cultured pearl lavalier pendant necklace watch (total diamond weight is 4 cts) which is estimated at $6,000 – 9,000. In the Art Deco style will be a lady’s diamond and platinum wristwatch (total diamond weight is 6 cts) estimated at $3,500 – 5,500 and a sapphire, diamond and 14k yellow gold bracelet (total diamond weight is 6 cts) also estimated at $3,500 – 5,500.

Rounding out the jewelry offerings will be a nice selection of lavender jadeite jewelry and pieces by fine Italian jewelry makers.

THE ASIAN ART & ANTIQUES
A pair of Chinese sancai glazed ceramic Earth spirits, Tang Dynasty (618-906 CE), the mythical guardians sculptured with wings and horns, will be one of the highlighted offerings in this category.

In addition, an assortment of Chinese porcelain, including a large late Qing/early Republic period floor vase with a meandering dragon in underglaze blue, gilt and clouds accented with pale colors will be offered as well as a selection of Chinese snuff bottles, in mediums such as porcelain, stone and cloisonné of various motifs.