OAKLAND, Calif. – Clars Auction Gallery hosted their Important Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry and Asian Art Auction on May 20. Furniture designs by Finn Juhl (Denmark, 1912-1989) stole the show with both pieces offered setting a new U.S. auction record. Both Finn Juhl lots sold through LiveAuctioneers, which provided absentee and Internet live bidding.
Juhl, the renowned Danish architect, interior and industrial designer, is credited with introducing Danish Modern to America. Presented at the sale was his Judas rosewood dining table, circa 1950. Estimated to achieve $10,000-$15,000, bidding drove the final sale price on this lot to over twice high estimate commanding $34,650.
Next, a lot of eight Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder Egyptian rosewood chairs, each upholstered in blue was offered. This set was expected to sell for $20,000-$30,000 but once bidding started, the battle began driving the final sale price to over twice its high estimate to $75,600.
Musical instrument collectors bid strongly on several important lots offered. Topping the music category was a Boesendorfer Model 290 Imperial Concert grand piano that sold over the high estimate for $51,425. Following suit, guitar collectors vied heavily for two offerings. A 1939 CF Martin acoustic guitar (below) tripled the high estimate, selling for $19,360. A 1959 Fender Jazzmaster that also surpassed expectations at $10,890.
A Meissen porcelain group, which depicted the Triumph of Venus, circa 1800, doubled expectations when it sold impressively for $15,730.
Fine art had several exciting sales. Topping this category was a 1975 oil on canvas by Maqbool Fida Husain (Indian, 1915-2011) titled Dame with Elephant, which sold within estimate for $54,450.
Works by Paul Sawyier (American, 1865-1917) experienced high demand at this sale. Presented first was his watercolor titled Evening on the Elkhorn (below) that carried an estimate of $10,000-$15,000 but soared past that selling for $22,620. His oil on board titled Fountain and Formal Rose Garden also performed well earning $20,570.
A number of Latin American works from the Mexican Museum of San Francisco were offered. The highlight of this collections two works by Byron Galvez (Mexican, 1941-2009). The first, Untitled (los tres bailarines), 1986, an oil on canvas, sold for $10,080. Commanding the same price was another oil on canvas titled Love, 1987 (below).
Works by Peanuts creator Charles Schulz (American, 1922-2000) continue to captivate the world, as was evidenced by the seven original inks on paper, United Features Syndicate Inc. daily comics, that were offered. These original works came from the estate of Lorraine Webster, who was Schulz’s secretary for 28 years. Offered separately, the collection sold for an impressive $67,920.
For more information contact Clars Auction Gallery at info@clars.com.
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