OAKLAND, CA.- The first installment of the Robin Leach Collection will take center stage at
Clars October 13th auction complemented by significant works in fine art by artists including Nathan Oliveira, George Rodrigue and Rufino Tamayo. The property to be offered at this sale comes from prominent California estates as well as museums, private institutions and special collections.
THE ROBIN LEACH COLLECTION
The extraordinary collection of entertainment icon, notable journalist and philanthropist Robin Leach (1941-2018) is a reflection of his incredible life, desire for the finest and spans a variety of categories. Proceeds from the sale of his collection will go to the Robin Leach Charitable Foundation.
A reflection of his famous quote "champagne wishes and caviar dreams," the October 13th sale will present his amazing collection of fine wines and champagnes. Among these will be a 1990 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut Millennium Methuselah which will be offered for $10,000-15,000. Also to be offered will be a Richard Hennessy Cognac, a 1969 Krug Champagne personally inscribed by Henry Krug, a 1994 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac and several more.
Indicative of his gregarious personality is the estate's cadre of celebrity gifts, including a framed inscription and drawing from Ruby Tuesday Mazur, the designer of the Rolling Stones tongue, and an autographed chef's jacket featuring Bobby Flay. There are also early framed and signed photographs by Cher, who was a close friend of Leach.
Robin Leach was also a highly respected collector of extraordinary paperweights. Coming to this sale will be several group lots with examples by makers including Orient & Flume, Caithness, Chris Heilman and Steve Lundberg for Lundberg Studios.
His passion for fine decorative arts and furnishings is evidenced in the selection of bronzes by various artists including Pal Kepenyes and Steve Tobin.
A fine selection of furniture will also be offered including a Burmese pierced console table and other designer pieces including a floor lamp attributed to Serge Roche.
The second installment of the Robin Leach Collection will be presented at Clars November 17th 2019 sale.
THE FINE ART
Several important works by Nathan Oliveira (American, 1928-2010) come to the sale from the Victoria Chann Collection of Piedmont, CA. Oliveira was a celebrated member of the San Francisco Bay Area figurist artist community working in a variety of media creating both works on canvas and sculpture.
To be presented in October will be his bronze sculpture titled Figure Five, 1983 that will be offered for $50,000 70,000. Two of his paintings will be also offered. The first, Untitled (Face), 1985, is an oil on canvas which carries the estimated of $20,000 40,000. The second work is his oil on canvas titled Ryan Site II, 1982 which will be offered for $20,000 40,000.
A painting by George Rodrigue (American, 1944-2013) will also attract collectors. Titled Hanging Out With Maise, 1993, this oil on canvas will be offered for $20,000 40,000.
Rounding out the top fine art offerings will be a lot of 10 hand-colored lithographs, The Pre-Columbian Idols Series, 1976, from renowned Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo (1899-1991). This portfolio will be offered for $10,000 15,000.
THE DECORATIVE ARTS & FURNISHINGS
In addition to the Robin Leach estate, this category will present numerous investment level pieces. A rare 1950 Pacific Coast League Oakland Oaks Championship Trophy will captivate collectors. The trophy is inscribed Pacific Coast Baseball League 1950 Pennant Winner and features the names of all the players, club officials, manager and coach. This wonderful piece of history will be offered for $10,000 15,000.
Among the other highlights is a 19th century French cloisonné decorated mantle clock estimated at $5,000 7,000.
THE ASIAN ART & ANTIQUES
The highlight of this category will be the Chinese scroll titled Beauty and Tiger attributed to Leng Mei (Chinese, ca. 1677-1742) that will be offered for $6,000 9,000.
A Japanese natsume by Maehata Shunsai features takamakie on black lacquer and is estimated to sell for $5,000 7,000. Carrying the same estimate is a Dongson bronze drum (Heger type 1) which comes to the sale from a prominent private San Diego (CA) collection.
THE JEWELRY & TIMEPIECES
The star of this category will be a diamond and 18k white gold necklace which features 307 graduated full-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 15.30 cts. (Estimate: $6,000 9,000).
Rounding out this categorys highlights will be an emerald, diamond and 18k white gold ring centered by a natural emerald weighing approximately 4.77 cts. This ring is estimated at $5,000 7,000.
Clars October 2019 Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry and Asian Art Auction will be held on Saturday and Sunday October 12th and 13th, 2019. The sales will begin promptly at 9:30am on Saturday and Sunday. Previews for this sale will be held Friday, October 11th from 1pm to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9:00 am and by appointment the week prior.