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‘Outlaw,’ an important bronze by Frederic Remington sold for $137,950. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.

Tiffany, Remington raise Clars to its biggest auction total ever

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

‘Outlaw,’ an important bronze by Frederic Remington sold for $137,950. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
‘Outlaw,’ an important bronze by Frederic Remington sold for $137,950. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
OAKLAND, Calif. – When Redge Martin, president of Clars Auction Gallery, dropped the final hammer on the last of over 700 lots he called on Nov. 7, he knew this auction would go in the books as Clars’ largest sale in the company’s 62-year history. Sales totaled $1.67 million, fueled in large part by the exceptional works from the Carmen and Allen Christensen estate of Atherton, Calif. The collection from the Christensen estate contributed close to $1 million for the sale. The Christensens were dedicated to supporting the arts and were important collectors of European, American and Asian Art with many of their pieces on loan to museums worldwide.

The most exciting event of the sale was a rare carved jade, diamond and color gemstone scent bottle that was executed by Tiffany & Co. for the 1893 Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition. One of only two created by Tiffany for this event, its mate resides in the permanent collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Bidding on the scent bottle and accompanying presentation box drew international and national bidding, ultimately selling for $236,950. The owner of this piece of American design history ensures that it will never be sold again and will reside in another permanent collection.

Also coming from the Christensen Estate was an important bronze sculpture by Frederic Remington (American, 1861-1909) entitled Outlaw. Again, drawing strong national and international bidding, this piece sold for $137,950.

Fine art performed beyond expectation with a pair of miniature dioramas inside painted walnut shells by Frida Kahlo (Mexican, 1907-1954) drawing much attention. Entitled Wedding and Honeymoon, this pair earned $38,513. Furthering the exceptional offerings from Mexican artists was Portrait of a Young Mexican Boy by Diego Rivera (1886-1957) which sold for $23,700.

Decorative art offerings from the Christensen estate overall went for well beyond expectation. An amazing collection of German ivories, which included a Baroque tankard, was expected to sell for $10,000 to $15,000 but sold for $20,145.

Their Asian collection in particular was exceptional and the dollars realized in that category confirmed it. A Chinese sectional ivory model inspired by the Nine-Dragon Wall (Jui Long Bi) in Beijing sold for $17,775 followed by a pair of Chinese ivory wrist rests, Qing Dynasty, which sold for the same amount. A 20th-century Chinese ivory small table screen earned $11,750. Surpassing all estimates was a Chinese archaic bronze three-leg ding, Western Zhou period, which brought $38,513. From Japan, a pair of cloisonné enamel decorated imperial presentation vases, Meiji Period, dated 1903 earned an impressive $29,375.

The jewelry offerings from the Christensen collection also turned heads. A highlight from this category was a Victorian antique diamond and multicolor gemstone necklace with pendant, which sold for $21,150

Clars Auction Gallery was honored to have been selected to represent this important estate and was extremely pleased with the results. Deric Torres, specialist with Clars who handled the estate on their behalf commented, “While we knew this sale would bring international and national bidding, it exceeded even our expectations.”

With one more auction schedule in December, Clars’ 2010 year overall will be the biggest in their 62 year history tracking to achieve $10 million in sales.

For more information, call Clars Auction Gallery at (888) 339-7600, or email: info@clars.com.

 

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

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

This rare scent bottle executed by Tiffany & Co. for the 1893 Columbian Exposition sold for $236,950. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
This rare scent bottle executed by Tiffany & Co. for the 1893 Columbian Exposition sold for $236,950. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
This pair of miniature mixed media dioramas inside painted walnut shells entitled ‘Wedding and Honeymoon’ by Frida Kahlo (Mexican, 1907-1954) achieved $38,513. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
This pair of miniature mixed media dioramas inside painted walnut shells entitled ‘Wedding and Honeymoon’ by Frida Kahlo (Mexican, 1907-1954) achieved $38,513. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
This amazing collection of German ivories including a Baroque tankard sold for $20,145. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
This amazing collection of German ivories including a Baroque tankard sold for $20,145. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Galler81205988120598y.
This spectacular ivory is a 20th-century Chinese model inspired by the None-Dragon Wall (Jiu Long Bil) in Beijing achieved $17,775. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
This spectacular ivory is a 20th-century Chinese model inspired by the None-Dragon Wall (Jiu Long Bil) in Beijing achieved $17,775. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
Highlighting the Japanese offerings was this pair of Japanese cloisonné enamel decorated imperial presentation vases from the Meiji Period (1903), which sold for $29,625. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
Highlighting the Japanese offerings was this pair of Japanese cloisonné enamel decorated imperial presentation vases from the Meiji Period (1903), which sold for $29,625. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.