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This Patek Philippe gentleman’s Perpetual Calendar “Complicated” wristwatch in 18K closed at $40,000. Clars image.

Clars records best August results in its history

Catherine Saunders-Watson
Catherine Saunders-Watson
This Patek Philippe gentleman’s Perpetual Calendar “Complicated” wristwatch in 18K closed at $40,000. Clars image.
This Patek Philippe gentleman’s Perpetual Calendar “Complicated” wristwatch in 18K closed at $40,000. Clars image.

OAKLAND, Calif. – The performance of Clars monthly fine art and antiques auctions continues to be record breaking for the San Francisco Bay Area firm. Their Aug. 6-7 event resulted in the largest August gross in their history, totaling more than $730,000 and with overall year-to-date sales tracking at 44 percent over last year at this time. Their fiscal year closes on Sept. 30, and Clars’ president Redge Martin is confident the firm will realize $12 to $13 million in sales for the year, which would be a new record for the firm.

Fueling August’s strong results were exceptional investment-quality offerings across the board, with jewelry, fine art, Asian and automobiles earning top dollar.

The Sunday sale kicked off with a special classic car auction that was the follow-on to their July12th sale. Crossing the finish line as the winner in this special sale was a 1934 Ford Roadster with a Corvette engine that sold for $32,500. Taking second place was a 1975 Corvette L-48 that sold for $8,888.

Jewelry was the next category that performed exceptionally well. Patek Philippe is always sought after for investment and the gentleman’s Perpetual Calendar “Complicated” wristwatch in 18K gold earned its reputation, selling for $40,000. A stunning necklace set with 119 diamonds weighing 20.78 carats and measuring 17.5 inches in length sold for $17, 775. Another strong seller was the gentleman’s Daniel Roth No. 12 calendar wristwatch that earned $10,000.

Moving to the fine art category, Afternoon Shadows, an oil on board by Paul Lauritz (Californian, 1899-1975) sold within estimate for $7,110, followed by Landscape by William Henry Clapp (Californian, 1879-1954), which brought $5,925.

In the ever-astonishing Asian category, a framed Chinese painting sold for 50 times its estimate. Expected to make $200-$400, this ink and color on silk titled Scholars Meeting at Bridge Amid Mountains, after Wen Jia (Chinese, 1501-1583), sold for $10,073. Selling for a mere 15 times its estimate was a small Chinese jade plaque mounted as a pendant on a chain. This necklace brought $6,518.

Surprises were also seen in other categories. A framed manuscript prayer leaf, possibly 16th century, a deaccession by the America Friends-Israel Museum in New York, was estimated to bring $400 to $600 but sold for $3,250.

During the Saturday session, an extensive collection of John Wayne memorabilia offered in 45+ lots was offered. The highlight of this special offering was the bronze sculpture John Wayne, An American Legend by Robert Summers (American, b. 1940-) which sold for $1,500. Proceeds from the sale of the John Wayne collection are being donated to the University of California in his honor.

Clars’ final sale of their 2010-2011 season will be held on Sept. 10-11, with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com. The September sale is typically their most important, and this year’s event finds exceptional Modern and Contemporary art from artists including Matisse, Dubuffet, Golub and Cathelin. An impressive selection of silver prints will also be offered from names such as Weston, Siskind and Clerque. A very special Amelia Earhart collection will be offered, and the decorative furnishings category will feature fine pieces from Dirk Van Erp and Tiffany Studios, among others.

For additional information, call Clars tollfree at 888-339-7600 or email: info@clars.com. Clars Auction Gallery is located at 5644 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609.

View the fully illustrated catalog from Clars’ Aug. 6-7 auction sessions, complete with prices realized, at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

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altClick here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Crossing the finish line as the winner in Clars special classic car auction was this 1934 Ford Roadster that sold for $32,500. Clars image.
Crossing the finish line as the winner in Clars special classic car auction was this 1934 Ford Roadster that sold for $32,500. Clars image.
'Afternoon Shadows' by Paul Lauritz (California, 1899-1975) sold for $7,110. Clars image.
‘Afternoon Shadows’ by Paul Lauritz (California, 1899-1975) sold for $7,110. Clars image.
This framed Chinese ink and color on silk painting titled 'Scholars Meeting at Bridge Amid Mountains,' after Wen Jia (Chinese, 1501-1583) sold for $10,073 - 50 times its estimate. Clars image.
This framed Chinese ink and color on silk painting titled ‘Scholars Meeting at Bridge Amid Mountains,’ after Wen Jia (Chinese, 1501-1583) sold for $10,073 – 50 times its estimate. Clars image.