OAKLAND, CA.- Clars Auction Gallery’s January 14 and 15, 2017 was highlighted by the exceptional prices achieved on the significant collection of photography offered, a new world auction record was set for Chiura Obata and a Chinese painting of a censer soars to an unbelievable sale price of over $20,000.

THE PHOTOGRAPHY & FINE ART
An extensive and unique compilation of photography was offered on January 15th and the market responded strongly. Approximately 100 works were offered achieving a total sale price of over $55,000. A highly anticipated collection of 37 rare works by Jan Saudek (Czech, b. 1935) from the Seattle Art Museum was offered. All 37 works sold for an impressive total of over $33,000 with most exceeding their estimates.

Among the other rare photography works offered were several from Edward Sheriff Curtis (American, 1868-1952). The top seller overall in photography came from this master whose Orotone titled “Out of the Darkness,” sold very well for $10,710.

In fine art, Clars was please to announce that a new global record was set Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975). His woodcut print in colors titled “Before the Rain: Mono Lake, High Sierra,” achieved a new global record of $10,890 for a single multiples work for the artist.

Also of note in the Post War and Contemporary category, Willem de Kooning’s (American/Dutch, 1904-1997) lithograph in colors, “The Man and the Big Blonde,” was another print that soared past its $5,000-7,000 estimate selling for $8,470. Last, but not least, was a large, acrylic on canvas by Peter Max (American/German, b. 1937) titled, “Neo Head, Version I, No. 2 (1995),” achieving a stellar $13,310 from an estimate of $8,000-12,000.

After the sale, Vice President and Director of Fine Art commented, “ Photography sold exceptionally well at this sale as it has in the past for our third consecutive themed January auction in this medium. Furthermore, this month’s outcomes in this Post War and Contemporary fine art category will surely continue to be strong amongst collectors that will bode well for Clars’ Important Post War Print and Multiples sale on February 19th 2017.

ASIAN ART & ANTIQUES
The Asian offerings continually provide great excitement at Clars’ auctions and January 2017 was no exception. The top lot of this category and sale overall was a Chinese painting of a tripod censer that was estimated to sell for $400 - $600. This ink on paper had various inscriptions and multiple seals. The bidding opened at $200 and by incredible leaps and bounds, soared to an astonishing final sale price of $20, 570.

Achieving over 4 times its high estimate was a Chinese woven kesi with birds and magnolia, that achieved an impressive $5,040 and more than doubling its high estimate was a Chinese embroidered silk coat with figural roundels that went out for just under $4,000.

THE JEWELRY AND TIMEPIECES
A splendid and large collection of over 40 brooches and bangles bedazzled by precious gems was offered with many surpassing their high estimates earning over $55,000 in total. The top seller of the jewelry category offerings was a stunning 1.30 ct diamond ring set in a platinum ballerina mounting. Selling for over high estimate, this ring fetched $5,355.