OAKLAND, CA.- The March 19th and 20th sale of important Fine Art, Decorative, Jewelry and Asian Art sale will be highlighted by a special offering of iconic prints and photographs by nineteen American artists of renown. This extensive collection comes to the sale from Openhouse, San Francisco, a non-profit organization that provides senior living for LGBT individuals and Clars is honored to be offering these works to benefit this expanding organization.

Among the highlights of this collection will be three photographs by Jimmy DeSana (American, 1950-1990). DeSana was a significant artist in the New York, East Village Punk Art scene. His works demonstrate the beauty and exploitation of the human body as captured by the camera and have been exhibited internationally, including the Whitney Museum, MOMA PS1. A collection of his works is currently on exhibit at Tate Modern in London. Clars will be offering three of DaSana’s photographs in the March sale, all of which are true examples of his ability to intertwine notions of “Anti-art” while captivating the viewer through vibrant colors and conceptual form. Among the three works to be offered will be one of his most famous images, “Marker Cones (No Head)” (1987), cibachrome print, which carries an estimate of $2,000 to $4,000.

PICASSO CERAMICS
Ceramic works by Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973) will also generate global interest at this sale. Picasso started creating ceramic works in the late 1940s during the summers he spent on the Cote d'Azur in the South of France. Most of his inspiration came from the beautiful colors and light from these Mediterranean surroundings. Picasso was soon introduced to the owners of “Madoura” pottery works and this collaboration created many fine pieces that spanned a twenty-year period. Clars is pleased to be offering three important ceramic works by Picasso in their March 20th auction. The rarest of the three painted (glazed) ceramic plates titled, “Quatre visages entrelacés” (1949), will be offered for $18,000-24,000 followed by a whimsical composition of an Owl titled, “Hibou brilliant” (1955), estimated at $10,000-15,000. Last, but not least, is a colorful plate titled, “Picador and Bull” (1953), a popular subject for the artist, which is expected to fetch $6,000-9,000.

SAM MALOOF ROCKER
Sam Maloof is regarded as one of the finest American furniture designers and craftsmen. He rose to prominence in Southern California during the post World War II minimalist era and was a force in the nucleus of artisans creating custom and strictly limited production pieces in the important Studio Furniture Movement. His works were prized for their simplicity and practicality and he is the only American craftsman to have received the coveted John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation fellowship grant, a grant typically reserved for scientists, scholars and authors.

During his life in Southern California he became close friends with Joseph Gatto who was a significant force in bringing the visual arts into the education system in Los Angeles. Gatto founded the LA County School for the Arts and served as Dean of the Visual Arts Department. Clars is very honored to offer the rocking chair created by Maloof for his close friend and fellow artist, Joseph Gatto, in 1968. This rocking chair is executed in walnut having a contoured slat back and upholstered cushion, and rising on long upswept rocker rails. It is marked “designed-made, Maloof California, Gatto, 30 3 68. Copies of correspondences between Maloof and Gatto accompany this piece which is being offered for $22,000 to $30,000.

HENNELL OF BOND STREET, LONDON ART DECO DIAMOND BRACELET
Jewelry and Timepieces category will be offering a stunning Art Deco diamond and platinum bracelet by Hennell of Bond Street, London. This work of art in jewelry will be offered for $18,000 to $25,000. Also to be offered will be a tanzanite, diamond and white gold pendant necklace, featuring an 18.80 ct., tanzanite that is estimated at $10,000 to $15,000 as well as a diamond and 18k white gold necklace, with diamonds weighing 18.22 cts., that will be offered for $4,000 to $6,000.

This two-day sale will also feature a fine selection of Asian art and antiques including a collection of Chinese jade and a Buddha hand citron vase.

Clars’ March 2016 Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry/Timepieces and Asian Art Auction will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 19th and 20th, 2016. The sales will begin promptly at 9:30am on Saturday and Sunday. Previews for this sale will be held Friday, February 19th from 1pm to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9:00 am and by appointment the week prior. A complete catalog will be available online one and one-half weeks prior to the sale.

Clars Auction Gallery is based in Oakland (CA) and is the largest full service auction gallery in the Western United States. Clars Auction Gallery has been the chosen auction gallery of a number of institutions and distinguished private collectors across the country.


Bidding for Clars’ auctions is available in person, by phone, absentee and live online at www.Live.Clars.com and through www.liveauctioneers.com, and www.Invaluable.com.