OAKLAND, Calif. – Clars Auction Gallery posted its second-highest sales total in the 44-year history of the company on June 18-19. Over $3 million was realized throughout the two-day event with decorative arts and exceptional Asian offerings each vying for top category realizing over $1.2 million each.
Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.com.
The top lot of the entire sale was a rare and beautiful Chinese automaton triple fusee bracket clock (below) which sold to a phone bidder for an impressive $929,000 and was the highest single lot ever sold at auction by Clars. The clock measured 36 inches tall and the gilt bronze case was embellished with elegant filigree mounts. Mythical figures adorned the corners as did seashell handles and jeweled floral mounts. The porcelain dial measured 6 inches in diameter with a mirror plate above. The animation was extraordinary with animated swimming ducks on the hour and a large spinning pinwheel surrounded by 10 smaller pinwheels topped by a jeweled teardrop finish the very top.
Coming in second place in the decorative arts category was the surprise sale of a Chinese Export silver teapot with pierced dragon accents, fronted by the Three Immortals (below). This teapot was estimated to sell for $400-600 but brought an astonishing $27,830.
Deric Torres, vice president of Decorative Arts & Furnishings at Clars, said, “The buyer was a very experienced collector and the consignor was delighted with the surprising results of the sale.”
The Asian category featured the important collection of 20th Chinese Huanghuali furniture from the Dr. Bernard C. Gerber Collection of South Dakota, which drew serious bidders from around the globe. Selling for well over high estimate for $145,000 was a huanghuali dining suite consisting of table with six floating panels and six “lamp hanger” side chairs (below). Also soaring past high estimate was a huanghuali altar table that sold exceptionally well for $84,700 (estimate: $30,000–$50,000).
Several other lots offered also soared past their high estimates making for a very exciting sale. A Chinese Guan-type brush washer (below) was offered for $2,500-$4,500 but soared to $54,450. Surpassing this lot was a small Chinese gold vessel with a spinach jade stand that came to the sale with an estimate of $8,000-$12,000. Prolonged bidding pushed the final sale price on this lot to $57,475. Finally, much unexpected attention was seen on a lovely Chinese iron and wood saddle from the Gerber Estate. Expected to achieve $2,000-$4,000, this red silk brocade saddle went for $39,325.
A rare and fine men’s Rolex Cosmograph wristwatch, circa 1964/1965, ref. 6239, accompanied by original papers, was expected to sell for $15,000-$20,000 but sold for an amazing $45,375.
Rounding out this impressive sale were several works of note offered in the Fine Art category. Selling for well over high estimate was a watercolor titled Fishing in a Canoe (below) by Ogden Minton Pleissner (American, 1905-1983). Offered for $7,000-$10,000, this lovely painting brought $15,730.
A Pablo Picasso terre de faience bowl titled Personnages, 1956, (below) was partially glazed and painted red, brown and black. With the Medoura Plein Feu and Picasso stamps and numbered 72/100, this work sold for $14,520. Also performing well was Le Grand Ordonnateur, 1969, by Joan Miro (Spanish/French, 1893-1983). This etching with aquatint printed in colors with carborundum came to the sale from the Masterworks Gallery in Los Angeles and achieved a solid price of $13,310.
For more information email Clars at info@clars.com
Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.