Clars Auction Gallery packs it all into huge sale May 18-20

OAKLAND, Calif. – For three days, May 18, 19, 20, Clars Auction Gallery will host what is truly an extraordinary auction. Composed of important fine art, rare cars, jewelry that almost defies description, world-class sterling silver, and Asian furniture and art and fine art that will slam the gavel to new levels, this sale will likely go down in Clars history as their most important and successful to date.

LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.

Fine Art

Clars will once again feature another monumental work by Clifford “Possum” Tjapaltjarri titled, Honey Ants Dreaming, with an estimate of $100,000-$200,000. This is another important example of the artist’s richly colorful, as well as visually powerful, acrylic “dot” paintings. The result is both visually spectacular, as well as mesmerizing.

Several important mid-century paintings by pioneers in the field will be offered, one of which will be Ray Parker’s (American, 1922-1990) Untitled, Brown, Blue, Orange from 1960, which carries an estimate of $15,000-$20,000 and is a quintessential example of the artist’s work in the late 1950s through early 1960s. Following will be the monumental work, Dark Barrier, 1983, by Friedel Dzubas (German/American, 1915-1994), which will be offered for $40,000-$60,000.

In postwar offerings will be the painting titled Quedado, circa 1958, by Elaine de Kooning (American 1918-1989), which depicts an abstracted bull juxtaposed against a colorful background (estimate: $10,000-$15,000). Another significant highlight will be a set of three hand-painted polychrome porcelain enamel on steel tiles by Sargent Johnson (American, 1888-1967) titled Two Women, The Bulls and  Dogwhich, which will be offered for $25,000-$35,000 for the set. This will be the first time these tiles will be coming to auction. An exciting monotype by Sam Francis, untitled, will be presented to the market after 30 years in a private collection in San Francisco. It carries an estimate of $20,000-$40,000.

Several important sculptures will be offered including one by Pietro Consagra (Italian, 1920-2005), untitled, 1957, which carries an estimate of $15,000-$20,000 and comes from the collection of David C. and Sarajean Ruttenberg Collection, Chicago. Another will be a dramatic bronze titled Tribal Woman by Elizabeth Catlett (American, 1915-2012), which will be offered at $10,000-$15,000.

Andy Warhol (American, 1928-1987) will be represented with his screenprint Geronimo (from the “Cowboy and Indians” series), which will be offered for $15,000-$20,000. Adding to the already impressive Warhol print selection will be Electric Chair #79, 1971, a silkscreen, in dim purple hues. Although dark in subject matter, this print will be sure to light up the bidding room with an estimate of $8,000-$12,000. Another offering by an artist whose work was formed by abstract expressionism is LeRoy Neiman’s (American, 1921-2012) At the Racetrack, 1964, which carries an estimate of $25,000-$35,000.

In the 19th century, American fine art category, a portrait of Senator Barbour by Charles Willson Peale (American, 1741-1827) will be offered at auction for the first time since 1854. Also from this era, will be the largest painting to come to auction by Harrison Bird Brown (American, 1831-1915) titled Picnic by the Falls (White Mountains, Maine), which will be offered for $10,000-$15,000.

Spectacular watercolors top the list in the category of early 20th century American art. One highlight will be A Mexican Smuggler, 1914, by Frank Tenney Johnson (American, 1874-1939) will be offered for $30,000-$50,000. Two beautiful works by Percy Gray (American, 1869-1952) will also be offered. One of these is a rare portrait of Chief Gall that captures the facial intensity of this renowned Native American figure. The other Gray watercolor is a rich green and indigo blue landscape of the Carmel Valley in California. Twentieth century Western art continues to shine with two richly painted oils: Taos Valley, New Mexico, 1937 by Howard Schleeter (American, 1903-1976) estimated at $12,000-$16,000 and Lindsburg, Kansas, 1945 by Birger Sandzen (American/Sweden, 1871-1954) at $10,000-$15,000. Up to the north, a beautiful and luminescent oil on canvas by Alaska’s pre-eminent painter, Sydney Mortimer Laurence (American, 1865-1940), titled Mount McKinley, Alaska Height 20,300 Ft” will be offered with an estimate of $30,000-$50,000.

Decorative Arts & Furnishings

This category for May finds exceptionally rich offerings in historical ephemera, furniture, sterling and some very cool cars.

In history, an important American historical archive relating to Madison E. Hollister of Illinois (1808-1896), includes his Supreme Court appointment signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, his diplomatic appointment to the Consul of the United States at Buenos Aires signed by both President Andrew Johnson and William H. Seward, and a ship’s passage awarded to Robert Murray signed by President Thomas Jefferson plus other significant historical documents. Descended through his family, this collection is being offered for $10,000-$15,000.

A furniture highlight is a Hans Wegner Papa Bear chair that is estimated at $6,000-$8,000. In lighting, a pair of John Dickinson table lamps will be offered for $5,000-$7,000 and an important 18th century Hawaiian koa wood poi bowl is expected to achieve $4,000-$6,000.

The sterling to be offered at this sale is exceptional. There will several early British examples including a George III sterling silver tankard, London 1784, weighing 30.36 troy ounces and an Irish sterling silver covered server, by James Le Bas, Dublin, 1812, weighing 60.37. Both are expected to fetch $5,000-$7,000. Also included in this collection are Georgian salvers dated 1751 and 1762 and tea caddy dated 1788.

The highlight of the Continental offerings will be an impressive Italian sterling silver centerpiece mounted with lapis cabochons, by Buccellati, Milan, weighing 74.62 troy ounces, which is expected to fetch $15,000-$20,000. Continuing with the Continental theme, a collection of Georg Jensen includes two flatware services in the Acorn and Antik patterns, both of which are expected to sell for $5,000-$7,000. There will also be six hand-hammered service plates, designed by Johan Rhode, weighing 121.09 troy ounces, with a $5,000-$7,000 estimate and a Cosmos pattern five-piece hot beverage service estimated at $6,000-$8,000.

From Tiffany will be four Chrysanthemum pattern candleholders, 1907-1947, estimated to achieve $22,000-$24,000. A monumental Tiffany & Co. sterling silver-mounted Hawkes cut crystal gallon decanter in the Basket Weave pattern will be offered for $8,000-$12,000.

Chinese Export sterling offerings include a silver-mounted five-piece vanity set by Luen Wo, Shanghai, late 19th/early 20th century. Each piece is elegantly handcrafted and carries a $6,000-$8,000 estimate. A Chinese Export silver tea service, Woshing, Shanghai, circa 1870-1910, is estimated at $4,000-$6,000. Also featured will be a Burmese .900 silver wine/champagne cooler and a Thai bowl.

Now for fast cars and music to help move them, a scarce C.F. Martin guitar model 00-42 serial number 15607, is one of only 14 produced in November-December 1920. In unrestored condition, this gem will be offered at $6,000-$8,000.

As for the cars, behind door number one is a 1954 Chevrolet Corvette in original condition, estimated at $65,000-$75,000. Behind door number two is a 1952 MG Model TDC (Mark II) competition example carrying an estimate of $16,000-$18,000 and behind door number three is a 1905 Surrey replica built in 1957 by Oldsmobile with a Cushman engine (estimate: $5,000-$7,000).

For the two-wheeled muscle machines, a 2009 FLHTC Harley-Davidson has only 3,624 miles; a 2001 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail Heritage edition, comes with 18,786 original miles; a Simms Custom Cycle with a Thug 140 ci engine3 has only 322 original miles and 2007 Simms blue Custom Cycle has even less with 290 original miles. Each of these is being offered for $10,000- $15,000.

And finally there’s the real thing: California gold. Two natural California gold nuggets will be offered – one weighing in at 9.9 ounces, the other 11.2 ounces. These carry estimates of $12,000- $15,000 and $15,000-$20,000 respectively.

Antique and Estate Jewelry

Headlining the amazing offerings will be a fancy brownish pink diamond, near colorless diamond and platinum ring. The pink diamond weighs 3.04 carats with VVS1 clarity. This stunning ring is estimated at $100,000- $150,000.

Emeralds dazzle in the next offering which is a fine 3.90-carat emerald, diamond, platinum and 18K yellow gold ring that is expected to fetch $25,000-$45,000. With the same estimate is a fine jadeite, sapphire, diamond and 18K white gold ring. The jadeite cabochon measures 17.5 by 13.9X.

Asian

The highlight of the Asian offerings will be the continuation of offerings of Chinese huanghuali furniture from the estate of Edward Gerber, Reno, Nev. The initial offering huanghuali furniture from this important estate realized $1.3 million at Clars’ March sale. For sale in May will be a huanghuali three-section desk, a five-drawer coffer and a square table, each estimated at $15,000- $25,000. Along with the different tables are huanghuali chairs of various styles including official’s hat, Southern official’s hat and lamp hanger chairs. In addition to the furniture, this sale includes a four-panel screen inset with 16 enameled porcelain plaques from the Republic period, depicting narrative scenes of a scholar and a beauty, (estimate: $8,000-$12,000). There will also be a good selection of Chinese porcelain, including a collection of Chinese 18th/19th century export armorial porcelain featuring various crest of arms.

The sales will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. Pacific.

For more information, email: info@clars.com or call 510-480-0100.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

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