OAKLAND, CA.- Clars Auction Gallery will offer a fine selection of Asian works of art on Sunday, July 17th. This auction will include various Chinese Ming dynasty bronze Buddhist sculptures, huanghuali furniture, Chinese paintings, porcelains, and other categories of Asian works of art.

The auction will be led by three Ming dynasty bronze Buddhist sculptures. The first will be a bronze Avalokiteshvara figure seated on a double-lotus thrown with one hand in an abhaya gesture, estimated at $10,000-15,000. The back of the base is incised with the name of the patron of the sculpture and dated the sixteenth year of Hongzhi reign (1503). This bronze sculpture of Avalokiteshvara is from a Bay area private collector who previously acquired it from Gu Yea Guan Art Gallery in Bangkok in 1993. The other is a seated figure of Avalokiteshvara in ‘royal ease’ position, with a calm and serene expression. The gilt bronze figure of Vajrasattva is presented sitting on a double-lotus throne, holding a Vajra and a bell in each hand, with turquoise inlay on the crown and ornaments. These two bronze sculptures come from a prominent San Francisco estate. In addition to the three sculptures, there will also be several other gilt bronze Himalayan Buddhist sculptures from an important San Francisco collector.

The furniture section will feature a pair of Qing Dynasty huanghuali horseshoe-back armchairs, valued at $30,000-50,000. Each chair features a ruyi-head-form roundel on the back carved in relief with a mythical beast amongst flaming clouds. The arched back and the arms with white brass hardware decorated with prunus motifs. Another furniture highlight is a Qing dynasty huanghuali cabinet of tapered form, expected to sell for $40,000-60,000. The elegant design amplifies the rich and dramatic wood grains of huanghuali.

Other highlights of the sale include a painting by a contemporary Chinese artist Gu Gan (Chinese, born 1942); this painting was acquired from Michael Goedhuis Gallert, London in 2001, and is valued at $5,000-7,000. Along with a pair of blue and white ‘dragon’ bowls with Xianfeng mark and of the period, a pair of blue and white garden stools, a cobalt blue ground yellow glazed ‘dragon’ dish with Chuxiugong Zhi mark, a Japanese early Edo period Katana, and a Japanese wakizashi.

FINE ART

Clars will offer two large paintings by Harry Curieux Adamson (American, 1916-2012) titled, “Flooded Timber Mallards” and “Winter Quarters - Widgeon”. Both are estimated at $10,000-15,000 each. Adamson’s portrayals of wildfowl in their natural surroundings are highly sought after by many sporting art enthusiasts.

The print portion of Clars’ July 17th sale will have a wide variety of works for all collectors. Several prints will be offered by Bay Area figurative artist Nathan Oliveira (American, 1928-2010) including four intaglio works from his “Revisited” series printed in 1994. Christopher Brown (American, b. 1951) followers will also be excited to see the three works “In the Green,” “Malage,” and “Station” coming up for auction. Rounding out the sale is a collection of Salvador Dali (Spanish, 1904-1989) lithographs formally in the private collection of master printer Irwin Hollander. The early prints by Dali were trial proofs aside from the known edition of 150. One of the 1965 prints, titled “Cosmic Rays Resuscitating Soft Watches,” will be offered at $7,000 - $10,000.




FURNITURE & DECORATIVE ARTS

The Furniture & Decorative Arts portion of the sale will be led by a large Empire style gilt bronze and crystal six light chandelier circa 1909, estimated at $6,000-9,000. The chandelier was original to the Scottish Rite Freemasons lodge 1909, currently the Regency Center, San Francisco CA. Also coming up the auction block with the same provenance will be another large Empire style chandelier at $5,000-7,000, and a pair of Empire style gilt bronze wall sconces, circa 1909, having swan supports.

There will be a lovely mélange of decorative arts, including an Italian micro mosaic, a selection of Delftware including a figure of a dalmatian, chargers, faience figures of cows, a Rene Lalique Ambre perfume bottle, etc.

FINE JEWELRY

The Fine Jewelry & Timepiece department at Clars Auction Gallery is excited to offer a selection of diamond, colored gemstone and gold jewelry, in their upcoming July 17th sale.

This sale features a variety of wardrobe staples to build up the foundation of your jewelry collection at accessible price points, including bridal jewelry such as lot 2004, a diamond and eighteen karat white gold ring, estimated at $1,500 – 2,500; everyday diamonds such as lot 2076, a diamond and eighteen karat gold necklace, estimated at $1,800 – 2,200. As well as a colorful gemstone selection, including lot 2038, a pair of unheated Burma ruby, diamond and fourteen karat gold ear jackets, estimated at $2,500-3,500; lot 2073, a black opal, diamond and fourteen karat gold ring, estimated at $2,000-3,000. Other wearable pieces that will highlight your everyday life are featured by gentleman rings such as lot 2077, a diamond and fourteen karat bi-color gold ring, estimated at $1,000 – 2,000.