OAKLAND, CA.- Clars December 2015 sale of Fine Art, Decorative, Jewelry and Asian Art sale was the second highest earning December sale in the firm’s history with over $1 million achieved on the exceptional lots offered. This two-day sale was filled with surprises as extraordinary prices were achieved on numerous Asian offerings as well as musical instruments.

Fine Art
Headlining this sale was the extraordinary print by Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923-1997) titled, "Nude Reading,”. Bidding opened at $40,000 and collectors quickly took note of this work on the market, vying competitively and driving the final sale price to a solid $95,200.

A very nice surprise was seen on "Paysage de Bretagne avec une Mare," by Marcel Dyf (French, 1899-1985). This lovely oil on canvas was expected to achieve $7,000 - $10,000 but sold for well over at $14,280. Also selling very well and achieving high estimate was a work by Emil Carlsen (American, 1853-1932). Titled “Still Life with Flowers and Asian Figurine,” this oil on canvas fetched $11,900.

Asian Art and Antiques
The Asian offerings saw numerous astonishing prices achieved with the highest being a Chinese Ge-type arrow vase. This vase was expected to sell for $700 - $1,000 but presale interest drove the opening big to $6,000. Highly enthusiastic bidding quickly drove the final sale price to an amazing $51,850!

Next to surpass all expectations was a lot of seven (7) Chinese painted fans from the estate of Father Kirill Hartman. These fans bore various signatures including “Don Sou,” Zhang Daqian,” and “Dai Zejin.” The bidding opened at $750 but once again, bidders vied strongly driving the final price to $23,800. Rounding out this strong category were two Chinese polychrome wood louhan featuring the young Ananda and the elderly Kashyapa which sold for $13,420.

Decorative Arts & Furnishings
It was apparent that bidders were in the mood for music during this sale as the top lot in this category was an impressive 1916 Steinway and Sons, New York, Model B grand piano, that was offered for $10,000-15,000. Intense bidding from the Internet, floor and phones drove this work of art in musical instruments to almost three times its high estimate selling for $44,625. Bringing more melody to the ears of bidders was a 1964 Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso Spanish acoustic guitar which sold unexpectedly high for $2,975.

Turning to road warriors were two Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. The first, a 2005 Harley FLTRI Road Glide Custom, sold well for $15,470 and a very cool 1998 Model Fat Boy Soft Tail roared off at $6,545.

During the Saturday session, a large collection of important dolls, toys and accessories from the collection of Trotter’s Antiques of Pacific Grove (CA) was offered. A number of these lots offered went for well over estimate with the entire collection earning $17,754. And fulfilling the dreams of boys everywhere (even the older ones) was a collection of trains, predominantly Lionel, from the Christian deGuigné IV Collection. This highly collectible group brought $2,261.

Jewelry and Timepieces
With December being the season for the finest bling, the jewelry and timepieces offerings performed exceptionally well. Selling at the top in this category was a stunning marquise brilliant diamond and 14k yellow gold necklace that dazzled at $22,610.

And for the men, a Patek Philippe Neptune stainless steel wristwatch, ref. 5080/1A-001, circa 2000, sold well at $7,735 as did a Gentlemen’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT – Master, 14k, that fetched just over $5,000.

Clars next Important Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry/Timepieces and Asian Art Auction will be held on Saturday and Sunday, January 16th and 17th , 2015.