OAKLAND, CA.- Clars Auction Gallery’s December 10 and 11, 2016 realized exceptionally high prices on the important jewelry offered. The fine art portion of the sale resulted in three new world auction records and the Asian offerings continued to command impressive dollars.

THE JEWELRY AND TIMEPIECES
The jewelry category was expected to perform solidly in December with many of the significant pieces coming from an important Carmel (CA) estate. In the end though, the extravagant jewelry offered realized two to three times high estimate with total sales exceeding $325,000.

Topping this category and the sale overall was a diamond and 18k two-tone ring centered by one (1) round brilliant cut 6.30 cts diamond accented by 43 full diamonds. Estimated to sell for $14,000 – 18,000, this stunning ring skyrocketed to $72,600.

Achieving the second highest price was a sensational Verdura Spinel diamond and 18k white gold bracelet. Composed of 69 oval-shaped and 14 pear-shaped purplish spinels with a total weight of 225 cts, this beautiful bracelet sold for $48,400.

Selling for over three times its high estimate achieving $45,375, was another diamond and 18k yellow gold ring that featured one (1) radiant-cut 7.90 cts diamond accented by 33 full-cut diamonds.

THE ASIAN ART AND ANTIQUES
The works of master calligraphy Yu Youren once again, were a highlight of the Asian offerings. Four works were presented and all sold for within or above high estimate. The first, titled “Wo yu tian shan,” an ink on paper dedicated to his son Yu Youren, achieved $20,570. The second was an ink on paper poem titled “'You Jintang Yunding Shan Yu You,” (Raining when travelling in Jintang Yunding Mountain) that sold for $18,150. The third was another ink on paper poem titled, “Du Yingmen song bie,” by Tang dynasty poet Li Bai, which sold for well over high estimate at $12,1000 followed by his ink on paper featuring three verses from “Su Shi's 'Yufu si shou” which also surpassed high estimate achieving $13,310. To date, Clars has realized $280,000 on the 14 Yu youren works offered.

The big surprise of this category however was a Chinese patinated bronze globular tripod censer that was expected to sell for $1,500. However, once bidding opened, this lot soared to an amazing $45,375.

This was followed by another astonishing sale of a Chinese bronze yu-form ritual vessel that was offered for $1,000 - $1,500. Once again, bidding drove this lot higher and higher to a final sale price of $24,200.

Rounding out this exciting category was huanghuali furniture. A set of two Chinese huanghuali horseshoe armchairs and stand brought $36,300 and a Chinese huanghuali rounded-corner cabinet flew off for $27,830. (Provenance: Acquired from the Estate of Dr. Edward Gerber.

THE FINE ART
The Fine Art category was full of surprises and exciting new world auction records. The first new world record was achieved for George Stratemeyer (American, 1853-1909) with his oil on canvas titled “Waikiki Beach, (Diamond Head), Oahu, Hawaii, 1895. Estimated to achieve $6,000 – $9,000, this work soared past high estimate selling for a new artist record of $19,360 (previous record was $17,000).

The next auction record was achieved for artist V. Douglas Snow (American, 1927-2009) on his oil on canvas titled “Long Shadow,” which came to the sale from the Collection of the Nevada Museum of Art. Expected to sell for $500 – $700, this painting soared to new high for the artist achieving $8,470.

The third new world auction record was set for May Bird Mott-Smith (American, 1879-1952). Her gouache on paper titled “View of Hong Kong Harbor (c. 1920s),” was offered for $500 – $700 but the market placed new demands on her work skyrocketed the price to $7,865 (previous record, $660).

Also of note in the fine art category was the strong price realized on a complete site of 25 lithographs titled “Aliyah,” by Salvador Dali (Spanish, 1904 –1989) which sold for over high estimate for $18,150.

THE DECORATIVE ARTS AND FURNISHINGS
The decorative arts offerings were once again highlighted by property from the Thomas Perkins estate. Coming from his mega yacht, the Maltese Falcon, the Baccarat stemware service used on board the ship was comprises of 82 stems in the Vega pattern. Offered in multiple lots, this offering far surpassed expectations achieving $10,700.

In furniture, an American Studio StoryTime rocking chair #9, beautifully executed by Hal Taylor, also soared its high estimate selling for $9.075.