OAKLAND, CA.- On Saturday and Sunday, September 17 and 18, 2016, Clars Auction Gallery wrapped up their very impressive 2015-2016 fiscal year with an exciting $2.1 million sale that brought to the market property from several major investment level estates including the initial offering of property from venture capitalist Thomas J. Perkins (from both his Belvedere, CA estate and grand penthouse in the San Francisco Millenium Towers), the private collection of Allan Stone, Property from the Trustee of the Bankruptcy Estate of Halsey Minor (San Francisco) CNet Founder, as well as property from the Santa Barbara (CA) Museum of Art, The Birmingham (AL) Museum of Art, The Oakland Museum of California and the World of Design in Southern California and the Estate of Allen Singer (attorney for the painter Gordon Onslow Ford). The September 2016 was Clars’ second highest September sale in their history bringing to a close their $16 million fiscal year.

Fine Art
On Sunday, September 18th, Clars’ fine art offerings continued to impress with outstanding outcomes in Post War and Contemporary works. As Rick Unruh, Vice President and Director of Fine Art commented, “We were quite pleased with the results from all the exceptional works that were featured from some very important San Francisco Bay area collectors such as the late Allan Stone and Allen Singer, as well as Halsey Minor.”
 
From the Estate of San Francisco attorney, Allen Singer, the rare and early work titled, "Escape (1939),” by Gordon Onslow Ford (American/British, 1912-2003) realized the highest price for the sale overall commanding an impressive $78,650 after a fierce bidding battle. The late Mr. Singer was not only an avid collector of art, but was the legal counsel and good friend of Ford’s which made this particular painting a ‘must have’ due to its stellar provenance.
 
Another group of exceptional Contemporary art that was sold on behalf of the Trustee of the Bankruptcy Estate of Halsey McLean Minor, an early pioneer of the tech industry in the San Francisco Bay area, had very impressive results. One of which was the large acrylic on canvas titled, "Tenth Street Painting (1996),” by Caio Fonseca (American, b. 1959), which came out of the gate strong with a flurry of telephone bidders from all over the country and finally settling at an impressive sale price of $48,500.

Tripling its estimate of $5,000-7,000, the beautifully executed oil on canvas titled, "Backyard (2008),” by Alex Kanevsky (American/Russian, b. 1963) soared high as well to eventually land at $21,780. One last notable from Mr. Minor’s collection and making their debut at auction for the first time, were three colorful paintings by Siddharth Parasnis (American/Indian, b. 1977). Collectively these three lots by Parasnis achieved a total of $19,465 paving the way for this much sought after artist’s entry into the secondary market. 

And European fine art impressed as well with “Studio per Bagnante,” circa 1956, an oil on canvas by Ennio Morlotti (Italian, 1910-1992) surpassing all expectation and achieving an exciting $54,450.

Decorative Arts and Furnishings
This category was highlighted by the initial offering of select pieces from the Thomas J, Perkins estate. Topping these offerings was Perkins personal Steinway and Sons New York concert grand piano that sold impressively for $33,275. An exquisitely executed custom French style double harpsichord after Blanchet/Taskin, made by Zuckerman (SHI), Stonington, (CT), sold for nicely over high estimate for $16,940. Deric Torres, Vice President of Decorative Arts & Furnishings commented, “The initial Perkins offerings were very well received by the market with notably strong prices across the board. We look forward to the continuation of this estate to be offered in our upcoming October 15-16 and November 12-13 sales.”

Several investment level lighting works were offered by makers including Tiffany Studios, Handel and Pairpoint. Highlighting these offerings were two Tiffany Studios leaded glass table lamps which each brought $9,680 and a Dirk Van Erp mica and copper table lamp that achieved $7,260.

A special Ethnographic collection of over 50 lots, including the private collection of Allan Stone, was offered during the Saturday sale with several surprising and impressive results. The top lot of this section was a Guro, Cote d’Ivoire style standing female figure that was expected to fetch $200 - $400 but furious bidding drove the final sale price to $18,150! Among the other top lots was an Indonesian bull-form wooden casket, 19th century, that sold for $7,260 and a series of Ifugao, Philippines Bulul rece god figures, one bringing $5,445 and a pair selling for $6,050.

Persian carpets were featured prominently at this sale including a Kashan and antique Serapi which each commanded $7,260.

The decorative art portion of this sale was lead by a pair of Franz Bergman, Austrian, cold patinated bronze horses [PHOTO 7] that sold for over twice high estimate at $11,300.

And for the travel minded, an early 20th century Louis Vuitton wardrobe trunk, sailed off for $11,900.

Jewelry and Timepieces
The Thomas Perkins Estate was the exciting highlight of this category’s offerings as well. First, a very rare Mido “Ettore Bugatti” 18k yellow gold wristwatch, circa 1925, soared past high selling for $18,150. This was followed by a beautifully designed 18k yellow gold Blackmoor dress set by G. Nardi Ebony, which will bejewel its new owner for $9,075.

Rounding out the highlights and also soaring past high estimate, was an Art Deco ruby, diamond and platinum bracelet set that achieved $16,940.

Asian Art and Antiques
The Asian art and antiques offered brought more than their share of excitement to the sale. Selling for almost 30 times its high estimate was a Chinese Ge-type hu form arrow vase that sold for an astonishing $63,000. Continuing this amazing trend were two Ge-type mallow form brush washers which brought $39,325 (estimate: $1,000-1,500) and $22,990 (estimate: $1,500-2,500) respectively.

A collection of Yu Youren seals and calligraphy from an estate of a prominent Republic period official also brought strong market attention.  A set of four Yu Youren calligraphy dedicated to his son Yu Wangde in 1951, came to the sale with an estimate of $30,000-50,000, but sold for 57,475. Two of his seals each realized an impressive $12,100 and another pair of his calligraphy sold for 13,310.  Also coming from this estate was a kesi tapestry woven with various scholar’s items that achieved 3 times high estimate selling for $12,100.