OAKLAND, Calif. – Several of the exceptional fine artworks presented at Clars’ Dec. 15 sale solidly outperformed expectations as did a number of the Asian and fine jewelry lots that were offered. The investment level property came from prominent California estates as well as museums, private institutions and special collections. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.
An important work by Shakir Ali (Pakistan, 1916-1975) took the lead at this sale. He is regarded as the pioneer of modern art in Pakistan and one of the great artists of the 20th century. His oil on board titled Still Life with a Yellow Mug (above), 1958, earned an impressive $61,500, surpassing its presale estimate.
Celebrating the winter holiday season, a beautiful snowy New York scene by Guy Carleton Wiggins, (American, 1883-1962) soared well past its high estimate. His oil on board titled Avenue at the Library, was expected to fetch $40,000 but soared to $58,425 (below).
A work by Austrian painter Franz Richard Unterberger (1838–1902) performed impressively as well. Unterberger is best known for his scenic paintings of Italy. His San Barnaba, Venezia, an oil on canvas depicting the canals of Venice sold for $58,425.
Four color woodblock prints by Gustave Baumann (American/German, 1881-1971) were presented and all soared past their high estimates. The first, Silver Sky, 1935, was offered for $4,000–$6,000 but quickly jumped to the final sale price of $16,000. Following suit was his work titled The Sandias, 1921 which sold for twice its expectation fetching an impressive $14,760. Rounding out the Baumann offerings was Night of the Fiesta-Taos, 1924, that also doubled its high estimate selling for $10,455 and lastly, Santo Domingo, 1924, achieving $8,600 – making the grand total for all an impressive $50,000 sold by the artist.
The oil on canvas titled Golden Landscape by Henrietta Berk (American, 1919-1990) also outperformed. Offered for $10,000–$15,000, this work of bold colors fetched $17,220.
Rounding out the Fine Art highlights was a stunning oil on canvas by James Weeks (American, 1922-1998) titled Maine Landscape, 1969-75. Once again, bidders vied strongly for this work finally selling for $19,680.
Numerous Asian lots soared to unexpected prices at this sale. Topping this category was a Chinese carved white jade censer that earned an impressive $18,450.
A Chinese tripod bronze censer offered during the Saturday session also jumped to unexpected heights when it sold for $7,995 against its $500 presale estimate. Following this trend was a Chinese cast bronze xuande censer that flew to double its estimate selling for $9,225.
It was a strong sale for the Fine Jewelry & Timepieces department with competitive bidding throughout the evening. The highlight was an adorable and beautifully carved agate, sapphire and 14K yellow gold French bulldog pendant which inspired active bidding on the floor, on the phones and online. The final sale price of $4,920 far exceeded the presale estimate of $500-$700.
A sparkling 3.55 carat oval-cut diamond and platinum ring also performed strongly garnering a final sale price of $9,840 which exceeded its $5,000-7,000 estimate.
Another notable lot was a dazzling emerald, diamond and 18K white gold necklace that sold for $17,220. The matching earrings earned $6,765.
The timepiece section of the sale also performed very well with two Rolex Day-Date President 18K yellow gold wristwatches selling for $14,760 and $7,995.
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