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Photography, paintings

Photography, paintings achieve strong prices at Clars Auction Gallery

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Photography, paintings
‘Out of the Darkness,’ an Orotone by Edward Sheriff Curtis (American, 1868-1952) sold for an impressive $10,710. Clars Auction Gallery image

 

OAKLAND, Calif. – Clars Auction Gallery’s Jan. 14 and 15 sale was highlighted by the exceptional prices achieved on a significant collection of photography. Also, a new world auction record was set for Chiura Obata and a Chinese painting of a censer soared to a remarkable sale price of over $20,000. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.

An extensive and unique compilation of photography was offered on Jan. 15 and the market responded strongly. Approximately 100 works were offered achieving a total sale price of over $55,000.

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

A highly anticipated collection of 37 rare images by Jan Saudek (Czech, b. 1935) from the Seattle Art Museum was offered. All 37 works sold for over $33,000 with most exceeding their estimates.

 

Photography, paintings
This hand-colored gelatin silver print titled ‘Ron/Rod #120,’ 1985, was among the collection of rare works by Jan Saudek (Czech, b. 1935), which sold for $1,476. Most of Saudek’s images exceeded their estimates. Clars Auction Gallery image

 

Clars set a world record for Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975). His woodcut print in colors titled Before the Rain: Mono Lake, High Sierra,” (below) achieved a $10,890 for a single multiples work for the artist.

 

Photography, paintings
A new world record was set for Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975) on this woodcut print titled ‘Before the Rain: Mono Lake, High Sierra,’ which sold for $10,890. Clars Auction Gallery image

 

Also of note in the Postwar 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 $13,310 from an estimate of $8,000-$12,000.

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 (below) 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 leaps and bounds, soared to an astonishing final sale price of $20, 570.

 

Photography, paintings
The overall top lot of the sale was this Chinese painting of a censer, which was estimated to sell for $400-$600, but soared to an astonishing price of $20,570. Clars Auction Gallery image

 

Achieving over four 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.

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 carat diamond ring set in a platinum ballerina mounting. Selling for over high estimate, this ring fetched $5,355.

 

Photography, paintings
This stunning turquoise, diamond and 18K gold flower brooch was a highlight of the large collection of brooches and bangles offered. Estimated to sell for $500-$700, this brooch went out at five times high estimate for $3,630. Clars Auction Gallery image

 

For more information email Clars Auction Gallery at info@clars.com.

 

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