OAKLAND, Calif. – Clars Auction Gallery hosted its monthly sale of fine art, decorative art, jewelry, furnishings, and Asian art and antiques on July 14. Discerning collectors of fine jewelry in extraordinary designs and historic Vietnamese art and antiques took note of the select offerings in this sale and drove prices to well beyond expectations. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.
A stunning emerald-cut diamond and platinum ring led the sale soaring past its estimate to $73,800. This ring featured a 5.69 carat diamond which was flanked by two tapered baguette-cut diamonds (above).
The second example to fly past estimate was a diamond and 14K yellow and white gold ring set in a signet-style mounting (below). This ring was centered by a 6.85 carat old European-cut diamond and accented by 10 round-cut diamonds. This offering commanded $36,900 (estimate: $15,000–$20,000).
The beauty of Art Deco was exhibited in a circa 1920 multi-stone diamond, enamel, 18K yellow gold and platinum giardinetto double-clip brooch. This extraordinary piece, set with rubies, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds, soared to over four times its estimate, selling for $17,200.
Edwardian jewelry also performed well with a diamond, platinum-topped and 14K yellow gold bib necklace more than tripling high estimate, fetching $7,700.
Gold in its natural state outperformed expectations with a natural 22K gold nugget weighing 282.95 grams selling for nearly double its estimate for $12,200 (below). A 16K-18K yellow gold bar weighing 503.14 grams doubled its high estimate commanding $13,500.
Completing the highlights of the jewelry category was an elegant diamond and 18K rose gold necklace laden with 186 full-cut diamonds (approximately 39.70 carats total) that sold for $14,800.
Historic Vietnamese work in ceramics spanning the Ly (1009-1225) and Tran (1225-1400) dynasty and blue-and-whites from the Le dynasty (1428-1788) also captured the attention of collectors resulting in exciting and unexpected prices. The objects were from a prominent private San Diego collection. A Vietnamese Tran-style ceramic jar featuring elephants and figures was offered with an estimate of $1,000–$1,500. This lot quickly escalated in heated bidding from its opening bid of $500 to the sale price of $21,800.
Two Chudau-style blue and white ewers that were also estimated to bring $1,000–$1,500 but soared quickly to $18,000.
Completing these highlights was a pair of polychrome wood cranes measuring 92 inches high that fetched $8,750.
The top highlight in the remaining categories of the sale was an untitled oil on canvas by Spanish artist Emilio Grau Sala (1911-1975) that sold within estimate for $12,500.
In furnishings, a highly desirable Berkeley Mills step tansu sold over its estimate for $5,800.
For more information on this sale contact Clars Auction Gallery at 510-428-0100.
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