OAKLAND, Calif. – Clars Auction Gallery is readying two February sales to take place three days apart. A Ceylon sapphire ring leads its Important Fine Jewelry auction, scheduled for Thursday, February 17, and a Herbert James Draper seascape headlines its Furniture, Fine Art and Asian Art sale, set for Sunday, February 20. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

The painting by Herbert James Draper (British, 1864-1920) showcases his classical-style sea nymphs basking along a rocky coast. Draper was known for painting mythological themes, having studied at the Royal Academy of Arts and traveling to Paris and Rome to further his knowledge of the style. Titled Evening Calm, the Draper painting is estimated at $70,000-$100,000.

Martin Johnson Heade (American, 1819-1904) painted subjects ranging from tropical landscapes, hummingbirds and flowers. Untitled (Cherokee Roses in Clear Water Glass), a charming floral still life by Heade estimated at $20,000-$40,000, will appear in the February 20 auction.

Addison Thomas Millar’s (American, 1860-1913) Orientalist scenes with figures were prized by collectors at the turn of the last century. His painting Rue de Diable, Algiers is a fine example of the type and will be offered at $8,000-$12,000.

Paintings and photographs of Native American subject matter are always a favorite at Clars. Joseph Henry Sharp’s (American, 1859-1953) Untitled (Indian Couple by a Creek) is a classic example by the ‘father of the Taos Society of Artists’. It is estimated at $40,000-$60,000. Those who prefer photographs will look forward to an orotone by Edward Sheriff Curtis (American, 1868-1952), titled The Rush Gatherer. It carries an estimate of $15,000-$20,000.

The furniture and decorative arts portion of the February 20 sale includes a patinated verdigris metal sculpture executed in the Renaissance taste, valued at $2,500-$3,500. A silver offering of note is a Gorham Aesthetic Movement coin silver hot beverage service estimated at $6,000-$9,000.

Fine Jewelry
On February 17, Clars will present a Fine Jewelry & Timepiece sale. The selection of gemstones is highlighted by a Ceylon sapphire, diamond and 18K white gold ring, estimated at $4,000-$6,000; a Colombian emerald, diamond and platinum pendant, estimated at $5,000-$7,000; and a Burmese ruby, diamond and 18K white gold ring, estimated at $10,000-$15,000.

Diamond jewelry choices include an Art Deco diamond and platinum ring, estimated at $8,000-$12,000; a wide strap bracelet set with 45.00 carats of diamonds, estimated at $35,000-$45,000; and a 4.30-carat round brilliant-cut diamond ring, estimated at $25,000-$35,000.

Tiffany & Co. is ably represented by a sapphire and 18K gold ring, estimated at $3,000-$5,000; a cultured pearl torsade necklace, designed by Paloma Picasso, estimated at $2,000-$3,000; and an Open Heart 18K gold pendant necklace by Elsa Peretti, estimated at $1,000-$1,500.

The Asian art department has contributed several strong lots to the February 20 auction, including a Chinese parcel-gilt copper alloy repousse sculpture of the Medicine Buddha. The figure is considered a healer who offers solace to the afflicted through the medicine of his teachings. The example in the auction dates to the late 17th century or the early 18th century, and was made for a Buddhist practitioner of significant wealth and stature. The Buddha carries an auction estimate of $15,000-$25,000.

Also of note is a Chinese white jade pendant, estimated at $3,000-$5,000. The plum blossom featured on the pendant is a symbol of winter and a harbinger of spring. The two character seal inscription ‘Meishou’ on the reverse grants the owner of the jade pendant hope and longevity. This jade pendant is a fine example of 18th century workmanship and the jade stone is of a high quality.

[av_button label=’Click to view the auction catalogs and sign up to bid’ icon_select=’no’ icon=’ue800′ font=’entypo-fontello’ link=’manually,https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/306/clars-auction-gallery/’ link_target=’_blank’ size=’small’ position=’center’ label_display=” title_attr=” color_options=” color=’theme-color’ custom_bg=’#444444′ custom_font=’#ffffff’ btn_color_bg=’theme-color’ btn_custom_bg=’#444444′ btn_color_bg_hover=’theme-color-highlight’ btn_custom_bg_hover=’#444444′ btn_color_font=’theme-color’ btn_custom_font=’#ffffff’ id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-8qkp88w’ admin_preview_bg=”]

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/