OAKLAND, CA.- Clars Auction Gallerys June 14-16, 2014, Fine Art, Jewelry and Decoratives Auction will once again go down as the firms most successful June sale in their history and 9th highest performing sale overall. Total sales achieved over $1.6 million with Asian winning highest sale of the auction.
ASIAN ART
A lot of 5 Chinese hardwood and huanghuali officials hat armchairs achieved the events highest price of $143, 800 against its high estimate of $40,000. Following close behind were two Chinese hardwood and huanghuali small compound cabinets that brought $131,000. (Estimate: $15,000 to $20,000). Both of these top sellers came to the sale through the Edward Gerber Estate.
An exciting surprise was realized during the Saturday session on a Himalayan thangka, Amitayus. Pre-sale estimate on this piece was $700 to $900 but, in typical auction style, this lot skyrocketed to $15,500.
FINE JEWELRY
Fine jewelry came on strong with exceptional results. Taking the number 3 spot in the 10 was a fine jadeite and platinum ring which featured one free-form jadeite cabochon measuring approximately 15.9 x 8.47 x 5.20mm. This striking ring sold for nicely within estimate for $29,000. Also performing solidly was a pair of diamond and yellow gold stud earrings featuring two brilliant cut diamonds. This pair achieved $6,500.
FINE ART
Spain took top billing in this category with an oil on panel by Emilio Sanchez-Perrier (Spanish, 1855-1907) titled Man in a Boat on a Lily Filled Pond, selling very well for $17,900. Vietnam took second place with Miss Chy Thanh Nhan #3, by Do Quang Em (Vietnamese, b. 1942) selling for $10,700.
Turning to American works, a combined group of seven (7) earthenware sculptures by Beatrice Wood (1893-1998) sold for $13,800. From Samuel L. Margolies (1897-1974), a dry point etching, circa 1940, titled, Men of Steel, went for $7,700. A new global record was achieved for Clyde Frederick Kelley (1886-1965) when his oil on canvas board titled The Soul Saver, flew past high estimate selling for $5,355. In photography, a gelatin silver print by Richard Misrach (b. 1949) titled Saguaro #7, from the Saguaro Suite Arizona, brought $5,000.
DECORATIVE ARTS & FURNISHINGS
A new world record for a Koran pierced brass box in the Safavid style was also set at Clars June sale. Coming from the Edward Gerber Estate, this offering was expected to sell for $300 to $500 but high demand for its form and beauty, drove the selling price to $5,000 selling to a Middle Eastern Sheikh.
Sterling from Tiffany & Company, New York, was the high seller in this category. A sterling silver flatware service in the Olympian multi-motif pattern, 1878, sold extremely well achieving $7,800. And from the same time period but coming from France, an ormolu mounted and champlevé decorated clock executed in the Renaissance taste, sold for $5,600.