OAKLAND, CA.- Exceptional offerings in both Decorative Arts and Fine Art lead the sale at
Clars November 18th Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry and Asian Art Auction. The impressive works presented drew bidders from around the world resulting in very strong prices and a few exciting surprises. The investment level property offered at this sale came from prominent California estates, museums, private institutions and special collections. Following are the highlights from this important sale.
THE DECORATIVE ARTS & FURNISHINGS
Investment level sterling silver was anticipated to be a star in this auction and the results did not disappoint. An impressive pair of American sterling silver candelabra designed by George Paulding Farnham for Tiffany & Co., 1902-1907, was presented with an estimate of $35,000 – 55,000. The importance of these candelabra was quickly noted by bidders who drove the final sale price to $52,275.
A very exciting surprise was seen on a pair of monumental gilt bronze mounted Sevres polychrome decorated urns that stood at 36.5” high. Expected to sell for $6,000, the bidding on these urns opened at $5,500. Quickly, the market responded driving the bidding higher and higher until they finally sold for the amazing price of $49,200.
Another surprise was had on an 1814 French cut crystal decanter and wine glass with Cyrillic script. This set was offered with an estimate of $500-700. Once again, collectors vied heavily for this lot driving the final sale price to $11,250.
Exceptional leaded glass lamps from Tiffany Studios, New York, performed very well. The top seller in these offerings was a table lamp in the Dogwood pattern that sold nicely within estimate for $25,830. A Tiffany Studios Turtle back desk lamp in the Zodiac pattern also sold well for $6,765.
An impressive assortment of art glass from renowned designers was offered. Leading this collection was a Persian cobalt and vermillion art glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly (American, b. 1941). This beautiful work sold for over the high estimate at $12,500. (Collection Provenance: Prominent Atherton, CA estate.)
THE FINE ART
Prints and multiples took a commanding lead at this sale with Andy Warhol’s screenprint titled Mao (1972) topping this category. His iconic image of the Chinese Communist party leader attracted the attention of collectors who drove the final sale price on this work to $46,125.
An unexpected outcome was realized on a lithograph in colors by Robert Longo, (American, b. 1953). Titled Gretchen (1984), this work was from his pivotal Men in Cities series and was presented with an estimate of $12,000 – 16,000. An Internet bid of $15,000 started the battle that ended minutes later when the exciting final sale price of $46,125 was achieved.
Picasso and Thiebaud tied for the next highest prices in prints and multiples. Dark Cake (1983), a woodcut by Wayne Thiebaud (American, b. 1920), was served up and sold well for $22,140. Pablo Picasso’s (Spanish, 1881-1971) aquatint in colors titled Fumeur III (1964), also sold for $22,140, nicely surpassing its high estimate of $15,000.
In paintings, the highly sought after small (3 x 3 inch) kinetic wood paintings from the early 1960s by Yaacov Agam (Israeli, b. 1928), led these offerings. His meticulously executed work titled Red Movement (1962), sold for an impressive $39,975. (Provenance: Prominent Atherton, CA estate)
Once again, Clars offered a spectacular watercolor by Paul Sawyier (American, 1865-1917) and achieved remarkable results. Titled Kentucky River Scene, this work sold for $36,900*.
*This is the second highest auction record price for a watercolor by this artist with the highest of $54,450 having been achieved at Clars in February 2018.
Rounding out the paintings highlights was the oil on canvas titled Summer Picnic, 2010, by Roland Peterson (American, b. 1924) which achieved $33,825.
In sculptures, the bronze sculpture by Lynn Chadwick (British, 1914-2003) titled Maquette V Winged Figures (1968), fetched $29,520. And the welded steel sculpture by Richard Hunt (American, b. 1935), Untitled, 1967, nearly doubled high estimate selling for $10, 625.
Clars’ next Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry and Asian Art Auction will be held on Saturday and Sunday December 15th and 16th, 2018. The sales will begin promptly at 9:30am on Saturday and Sunday. Previews for this sale will be held Friday, December 14th 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. For more information, please visit www.clars.com or email: info@clars.com
Of Special Note Coming In December 2018 – On December 16th, 2018, Clars will be presenting The Lotus Pond, an ink and color on paper by Zhang Daqian (Chinese, 1899-1983). This work will be offered with an estimate of $200,000 – 300,000. (Provenance: Featured on the back cover of the May 10-31, 1970, exhibition catalog at Laky Gallery, Carmel, CA)
