OAKLAND, CA.- Clars Auction Gallery will present an exceptional selection of fine art from several renowned American and international artists at their September 15th, 2019 sale of Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry and Asian Art. The important fine art will be complemented with investment level property spanning all the categories. The property to be offered at this sale comes from prominent California estates as well as museums, private institutions and special collections.

THE FINE ART
Prints & Multiples
The highlight of the print category and one of five works by M.C. Escher (Dutch, 1898-1972) to be offered and is Escher’s most ambitious project, Metamorphosis II, 1939/1940. This 13-foot woodblock print is an elaboration of his work, “Metamorphosis I,” from 1937. From November 1939 to March 1940 Escher worked on the thirteen-foot-long woodcut “Metamorphosis II,” a high point of his work in the graphic medium. Upon his return to Holland from Belgium, in 1939, Escher created a series of motifs for regular division of the plane to form a continuous pictorial story through metamorphosis and a few associations of ideas, ending in a memory of Italy (the view of Atrani) and one of Chateau-d’Oex (the chessboard), and finally in a pattern identical to that at the start of the print, thus suggesting a complete cycle.

The work is a greater expansion in the concept of tessellated patterns working to become an altogether different pattern, which Escher explored in “Metamorphosis I,” 1937. This second iteration of the metamorphosis tessellation concept was only printed upon request due to the technical challenge of printing a woodcut in colors on japon paper so large, with so many colors. Therefore, the precise edition size is unknown. This extremely rare-to-auction print should sore at an estimate of $80,000 - $100,000.

Among the other highlights in the prints offerings will be Two paintings: Green Lamp, from Paintings Series, 1984, a woodcut, lithograph, screenprint and collage in colors by Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923-1997). This work is pencil-signed and dated lower right, and will be offered for $30,000 – $40,000.

From Jacques Villegle (French, b.1926), will be Le Pape et Les Freres Miseres - Colonne Morris, Cathedrale Saint-Caprais, Agen, 1997. This torn posters collage is mounted on canvas, signed, titled and dated and is estimated to achieve $25,000 – $35,000.

EUROPEAN FINE ART
Clars Auction Gallery is excited to offer a spectacular piece by renowned Austrian artist, Gottfried Helnwein. (b. 1948) The large oil and acrylic on canvas, Untitled, (Nightmares of a Sleeping Child), 2005 was included in a 2005/2006 exhibition at Modernism Gallery (San Francisco, CA). It displays the quintessential message of Helnwein’s work, the disturbed child. Combining elements of hyperrealism and disrupted innocence, Helnwein comments on the taboo and society’s construction of the childhood fantasy. As an artist growing up in post WWII Austria, he uses his own experiences to comment on the distortions of National Socialism. His works have been included in exhibitions around the world from the Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais, Paris to Fotomuseo, Museo Nacional de la Fotografia de Colombia and he continues to gain acclaim. This Helnwein painting will be offered for $40,000 - $60,000.

Old Masters
Two impressive Old Masters will be offered at this sale. The first, titled Enthroned Madonna and Child with Saints and Angels, by Arezzo School/Circle of Neri di Bicci (Italian, 1419-1491), is an oil and tempera on wood panels. Neri di Bicci was the third and last in line of the thriving Bicci family workshop. Although in his early work his style was virtually indistinguishable from that of the workshop, by the late 1440's Neri began to achieve an autonomy of form which lead to his simple and clearly identifiable style. This important work will be offered for $50,000 – $70,000. (Provenance: Collection of Dr. Benjamin Rifkin. Exhibited: Westmont College/Reynolds Gallery in 2002; Collection of the Estate of Mr. Roy Neville (Pebble Beach, CA)

The second old master to be presented will be Landscape with Figures, Birds and Church, an oil on panel by the Circle of Jan Brueghel the Elder (Flemish, 1568-1625). This painting bears the signature "J. Bruegel" on the lower center panel. A flower painter and landscape artist, Jan Brueghel the Elder worked from nature and was called "Velvet Brueghel" for his skill at painting rich and delicate textures. Brueghel was the second generation in a dynasty of Flemish painters. Born in Brussels and trained by his grandmother, Brueghel was celebrated in his own time, becoming dean of the Antwerp painters' guild by 1602. He mixed the past with a modern insistence on observation from nature and he frequently provided lush, warm-toned woodland scenes densely populated with exotic animals and flowers as frames for other artists' figures. His best-known collaborator was his friend Peter Paul Rubens. This work by J. Bruegel will be offered for $20,000 – $40,000. (Provenance: Collection of the Estate of Mr. Roy Neville (Pebble Beach, CA)

AMERICAN FINE ART
A pencil on paper by Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978) will be the highlight of the American offerings. Untitled (Study for “Saturday Evening Post, cover: December 6, 1924) is a wonderful winter/Christmas scene done in his iconic signature style. This important work of art and history will be offered for $50,000 - $70,000.

From artist Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994), will be his watercolor, Untitled. While associated with the Abstract Expressionist Movement, he was also strongly influenced by both French and Japanese art which is reflect in this extraordinary work. Estimate: $20,000 – $40,000.

Rounding out the top American highlights will be an oil on canvas diptych by Naomie Kremer (American/Israeli, b.1953). Titled See/Saw (IIIA2:2), 1994, this signed and dated work will be offered for $20,000 - $30,000.

THE DECORATIVE ARTS & FURNISHINGS
The impressive offering in this category will literally span thousands of years, from rare 500BC Egypt to important Mid-Century Modern Design.

The historic journey-through-auction begins with a 26th dynasty (500BC) Egyptian bastet that carries an estimate of $10,000 - $15,000. (Provenance: Prominent San Francisco Bay Area Collection thence by family descent)

Flash forward to the 20th century for an important selection of Tiffany Studios items including a Tiffany Studios patinated bronze and leaded glass Acorn table lamp that is expected to bring $7,000-10,000.

A collection of highly desirable art pottery will be offered from Newcomb College and Teco Pottery with a Teco Pottery vessel estimated at $6,000 - $9,000.

This sale will present a very strong selection of Mid-Century Modern Design including a John Dickinson white washed chest, circa 1970, estimated at $6,000-9,000 and a Paul Evans for Directional PE 17 sculptured bronze wall shelf. Also included is an Erwin and Estelle Laverne lacquered fiberglass and enameled steel “Tulip” chair, a Roger Sprunger for Dunbar rosewood desk, George Nakashima for Widdicomb side tables, Finn Juhl for Baker side chairs, and Edward Wormley for Dunbar lounge chairs. An earlier example will be Emile Galle Art Nouveau nesting tables estimated at $4,000-6,000.

Rounding out the 20th century offerings will be a French E. Goyard steamer trunk, circa 1900, estimated at $6,000-9,000. There will be also collection of sterling silver articles. To be featured is a Limited Edition York Mint sterling silver scale model of a Ford Model T vehicle.

Furthering the vehicles, and jumping to the 21st century, will be a real 2008 Aston Martin Vantage convertible that will be offered for $35,000 - $45,000.

THE ASIAN ART & ANTIQUES
The highlight of this category will be Abstract Landscape by Liu Guosong/Liu Kuo-sung (Chinese, b.1932). This ink and color on paper is signed on the lower right signed, sealed 'Liu Guosong' and dated 1968. It will be offered for $15,000 - $25,000. (Provenance: acquired through Jeanne Watten, founder and director of the Art Guild, a collective gallery in Taipei Taiwan, representing contemporary artists from 1966-1974)

Also expected to see competitive bidding will be a set of four Chinese underglaze blue porcelain bowls with the exterior featuring a pair of writhing dragons separated by floral sprigs. Estimate: $10,000-$15,000.

From Japan will be a small cloisonne enamel vase, Meiji period, on a base with square cartouche marked Kyoto Namikawa (Namikawa Yasuyuki, 1845-1927). This piece carries an estimate of $8,000-$12,000.

Rounding out the Asian category highlights will be the continuation of Vietnamese works of art from a prominent San Diego collection. Dongson bronze drums will be a highlight with estiamtes ranging from $7,000 to $15,000. This collection will also present Vietnamese ceramics, including monochrome and blue-and-white pieces from the Ly, Tran and Le dynasty.

THE JEWELRY & TIMEPIECES
Spectacular estate and fine jewelry will round out this important sale. A 21,39 cts. sapphire (AGL), diamond and platinum ring will lead this category with an estimate of $25,000 - $30,000.

A 13.22 cts. purplish-red spinel (GIA), diamond and 18k white gold ring carries an estimate of $15,000 - $30,000 and a 14.05 cts. Columbian emerald (GIA), diamond and 18k gold platinum ring is estimated at $8,000 - $10,000.

The September sale will also feature the second installment of the collection of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry including a cultured pearl diamond suite. The first offering of this collection in August realized prices that soared well beyond estimates. In addition, more pieces from Italian designer Enrico Serafini will be offered.