OAKLAND, CALIF.- Winter Fine Jewelry & Timepieces Auction of Clars Auction Gallery achieved a 78% sold by lot and a 123% hammer above low estimate for sold lots. There were over 1,500 bidders participating the sale. Signed jewelry was a highlight of the sale, including makers like Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany and Cartier. One of the top lots in the Winter Fine Jewelry & Timepieces sale was lot 5246, a diamond and white gold brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels. After a competitive bidding war among the internet, phone bidders, and in-house bids, the Van Cleef & Arpels diamond brooch achieved $46,875.00 by a buyer from the East Coast.

Clars’ fine art department had a successful December auction with several works greatly surpassing their expected estimates. The Guy Irving Anderson (American, 1906-1998) oil and paper on board, titled “Homage to Sadat,” flew past its $3,000 - $5,000 estimate, selling for a total $17,500. The artist’s popularity seems to be on the rise with many of his highest auction records occurring in the last few years. The three Walter Anderson (American, 1903-1965) watercolors also received much attention at the auction, with one selling for $8,750, over $3,000 above its high estimate. The large wall sculpture by Nathan Slate Joseph (American, 20th century) also soared past its expected value, setting a new auction record for the artist at $11,375.

Pottery featured prominently in the December 18th auction at Clars. The Design department offered several Toshiko Takaezu pieces, the largest measuring 6.75”h – the four lots sold for a combine total of $24,250. Furniture performed well including a pair of Marcel Breuer, Wassily Chairs, that brought $6,875, and a pair of Holly Hunt, Oslo Bedside Tables, that realized $6,250. Cristina Campion, Associate Director of Design commented, “Contemporary Design is really trending at auction at this time – there were numerous bidders vying for the top contemporary lots at the auction, both in person, online and on the telephone.”

The Asian Art Department achieved a ‘White Glove’ sale of 22 lots of Chinese scholar’s rocks from a private Bay Area collection totaling over $31,000 inclusive of the buyer’s premium. Three Bui Huu Hung (Vietnamese, b. 1957) lacquer-on-wood paintings from another private Bay Area collection lots achieved remarkable results with the top lot 9803 commanding a hammer price of $6500 inclusive of buyer’s premium.

Clars’ next auction will be held on January 13 & 14, Consignments are always invited, schedule a private or virtual valuation appointment by emailing info@clars.com.