OAKLAND, Calif. – Last month Clars Auction Gallery announced that, in partnership with Christie’s, New York, they had been chosen to present the collection of the estate of Richard Mellon Scaife to auction in 2015. Scaife amassed the collection while traveling the world and buying at some of the finest and most prestigious antique and art galleries, including Jeremy Ltd., London, and Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge.
The collection was an important part of the interiors at his Pebble Beach, Calif., Nantucket, Mass., and Pittsburgh, Pa., residences.
This world-class collection will be offered at both Christie’s, who will host an important single-owner sale of furniture and decorative arts in 2015, and Clars Auction Gallery, which will be offering the remainder of the collection. The collection includes English porcelains dating to the early 18th century, an extensive majolica collection including rare examples, and fine antique furniture dating from the 18th century-present. Clars will hold two sales focusing on the Scaife estate and collection, Jan. 17-19 and Feb. 21-23, with the remainder of the collection in their following monthly auctions.
Internet live bidding for the Clars aucitons will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com
Coming to auction at Clars, on Jan. 17-19 will be part of Scaife’s extensive majolica collection amassed over several years. He showcased this collection at both his Nantucket and Pebble Beach residences. Many pieces selected for the January sale have a nautical theme. Offerings date from the early to mid-19th century, including pieces from the studio of George Jones. Highlights include shell-form compotes, early nautilus shell spoon warmers, clam-form flower frogs, and highly decorated wall pockets.
Also of note from the prominent Scaife collection, will be a French Industrial gilt bronze automaton lighthouse clock and barometer, circa 1890. A miniature pietra dura specimen marble-top table accented with red coral sprays is part of a large group of miniature furniture from the Scaife collection.
Scaife was born in Pittsburgh on July 3, 1932, and was the great grandnephew of Andrew Mellon, growing up at the family’s opulent homes in Pittsburgh and Ligonier. He was a noted media publisher and philanthropist, and donated hundreds of millions of dollars to countless causes, foundations and museums including the Clinton Global Initiative, the Heritage Foundation and Hoover Institute.
Clars January 2015 sale will also bring to auction offerings from other notable estates. From a prominent Pacific Heights, San Francisco estate, a Steinway and Sons, New York, Model O baby grand piano, is estimated at $25,000 to $35,000. In addition, there will be an extensive collection of early American furniture, including a Chippendale slant-front desk, executed in mahogany, circa 1760-1790.
Hurray for Iconic Hollywood
America loved all 140 episodes of Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, an American television show that ran from Jan. 22, 1968 through May 14, 1973 on the NBC network. Clars Auction Gallery will be offering three costumes worn by Ruth Buzzi, and designed by legendary Hollywood costume designer Michael Travis. (Note: Travis was also the costume designer for Liberace.) The highlight of the costumes to be offered is a Psychedelic Graduation costume. There are only 2 other known examples of this costume, and the example Clars will be selling retains the original tag on the inside of the jacket to which Buzzi’s name has been typed. Estimate on this costume is $5,000 to $7,000.
Rounding out this exciting three-day event will be significant offerings in jewelry, fine art and Asian art and antiques. Highlighting the jewelry and timepieces category will be a men’s Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute stainless steel wristwatch, 40 mm, circa 1962; a diamond three-stone ring in 14K yellow and white gold, set with old European cut diamonds totaling approximately 2.86 carats and a stunning carved jadeite, diamond and 18K white gold pendant that will be offered for $7,000 to $9,000.
In fine art, the January auction will feature a nice array of American and International works. One in particular is a watercolor by Jasper Francis Cropsey (American, 1823-1900) titled Sunset (1894). This delicate work on paper by the renowned Hudson River school artist will be offered at $5,000 to $7,000. An oil on canvas by New York artist, Leon Kroll (American, 1884-1975) titled Nude Study will also be featured. On the International side, a colorful yet dramatic painting titled Teaching Our Young (1988) by the Modernist Objibwa/Chippewa artist, Norval Morrisseau (Canadian, 1932-2007) will be offered at $6,000 to $8,000. A delightfully vibrant oil on board titled Girl and Dog by Rosa Rolanda (Mexican, 1897-1962) is also estimated to achieve $6,000 to $8,000.
The Asian art and antiques category will offer a wide assortment of jade, including plaques, belt hooks, toggles and a brush washer carved with bat form handles. Another highlight will be an East Indian Mughal-type khanjar dagger with a jade hilt carved in the form of a parrot, inlaid with red glass eyes. In Chinese ceramics, there will be a selection of pottery from the Han to the Tang dynasties, including hu vases and various pottery tomb figures. In Qing and Republic period porcelain, an assortment of blue and white along with enameled dishes, bowls and vases will be offered. In the Japanese section, a highlight will be a gilt lacquered butsudan shrine cabinet from the late 19th/early 20th century.
The sales will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and at 1:30 p.m. on Monday. For more information email: info@clars.com
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