OAKLAND, Calif. – Clars Auction Gallery’s September Fine Estate Sale to be held over the weekend of Sept. 11-12 will be “over the top” with rare and important offerings across all categories. Internet live bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.
Collectors the world over won’t believe their eyes when they see the auction’s headliner: a massive and extraordinary granular crystalline gold named the “Siskiyou Dragon” because of its resemblance to the mythical, fire-breathing creature. Weighing in at 25.26 Troy ounces and measuring 7½ inches long, 2¼ inches high and 2¼ inches wide, the specimen was discovered in the early 1990s in the Siskiyou County, California gold field. It is entered in the sale with a presale estimate of $100,000 to $150,000.
Many of the important consignments to this two-day sale come from the Patrick Curry collection of northern California. Curry, an internationally renowned collector of the finest Continental porcelain, amassed his collection over 60 years. His collection includes rare examples of Royal Vienna, Sevres, Meissen, KPM and Limoges. Two Royal Vienna painted urns that he particularly cherished are estimated at $8,000 -$12,000. A stunning and monumental Sevres urn fitted with oil lamp is a true collector’s piece. Also from the Curry Estate are Royal Vienna plates, many signed “Wagner,” as well as KPM and Continental porcelain plaques. From another estate comes an Otto Poertzel bronze titled The Aristocrats, which is expected to earn $25,000 to $35,000.
Curry’s sterling collection includes Reed and Barton’s rare “Love Disarmed” flatware service for 12 (estimate $6,000 to $8,000). Furthering the extensive silver offerings at this sale will be works from makers including Tiffany, Gorham, Peruvian and Versace.
Over the course of Saturday and Sunday, an impressive selection of fine furniture will be offered. Spanning Continental antiques to Mid-Century Modern, the group is led by a very rare cocktail table in the Egyptian taste by Phillip Laverne estimated at $7,000 to $9,000. A wonderful pair of American Art Deco armchairs, circa 1930 by Paul Philippe Cret, will also be offered. These chairs were once used at the Cincinnati Union Terminal. Also, of importance is a Tom Ford and William Sofield lounge chair, a collaborative work that was commissioned by Yves Saint Laurent in 2000. This is one of three prototypes created. Tom Ford was the head of design at Gucci.
The extensive art category will feature amazing works from American and European listed artists. Headlining this category will be a major work by Granville Redmond (Californian, 1871-1935). Titled View From Hilltop, this signed work measures 21 ½ inches high by 27½ inches wide. The art department at Clars has assigned a presale estimate of $100,000 to $150,000 on this work.
Among the other renowned Californian and American art to be sold will be a framed oil on newsprint on canvas titled Profile in a Blue Hat attributed to Willem de Kooning (American, 1904-1997), which is estimated at $80,000 to $120,000. Yosemite Waterfall by Thomas Hill (1829-1908) is expected to earn $20,000 to $30,000; while a Selden Connor Gile (Californian, 1877-1947) painting of boats moored at a dock illuminated by morning light is estimated at $20,000 to $30,000. An unframed gelatin silver print photograph by Ansel Adams (Californian, 1902-1984) titled Painted Lady from Rae Lakes is estimated at $15,000 to $25,000, and will be offered along with two other works by Adams. Frank Tenney Johnson’s (Californian, 1874-1939) study Moonlight in the Canyon in cowhide-embellished frame carries and estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. A framed oil and mixed media on canvas by Enrico Donati (American, 1909-2008) titled Curtain Call VII is estimated to bring $30,000 to $40,000. O Natura, an unframed acrylic on canvas by Gordon Onslow Ford (Californian, 1912-2003) has been estimated at $40,000 to $60,000. Clars will also be offering a work attributed to Jackson Pollock (American, 1912-1956) titled Rhythm Dancers, with an estimate of $80,000 to $120,000.
European artists will also be finely represented. A framed work attributed to French artist Georges Braque (1882-1963) is executed in oil on canvas. Le Joy, which bears the signature “Braque” at center right, is estimated to earn $80,000 to $120,000. A framed oil on canvas showing a lakeside town blanketed with snow attributed to Dutch artist Louis Apol (1850-1936) is estimated to sell for $8,000 to $12,000, as is Zaandam, Holland, by Charles Leickert (Belgian, 1818-1907).
Among the fine works on paper will be Natura Morta, drawn in ink by Giorgio Morandi (Italian, 1890-1964) and estimated at $20,000 to $30,000, and two framed gouaches on newspaper by Alfredo Ramos Martinez (Mexican, 1871-1946) showing women with flowers, estimated at $25,000 to $35,000. A group of 12 framed gouache and watercolor sketches by Maynard Dixon (Californian, 1875-1946), purportedly submitted as a mural proposal to the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, is expected to bring $15,000 to $20,000. There will also be a framed watercolor and gouache work attributed to Marc Chagall (French, 1887-1985) of a vase of flowers, titled Vence (estimate: $20,000 to $30,000).
Clars has earned an international reputation for solid prices earned in their Asian category. Among the anticipated highlights in this category are a collection of Chinese figural carvings, a “tianhuang” soapstone boulder, a carved jade boulder measuring 13 inches high, and a large Korean wood treasure cabinet from the Joseon Dynasty. In addition, there will be Japanese Satsuma and Satsuma-style ware.
Rounding out this amazing two-day event is the fine jewelry category. An exquisite pink diamond ring is anticipated to fetch well above $100,000. There will also be an excellent selection of watches and fine vintage and estate jewelry.
A very special costume jewelry collection will also be offered. Totaling approximately 100 lots, this collection includes an extensive selection of Eisenburg plus pieces from makers Hattie Carnegie, Elizabeth Taylor, Simpson, Coro, Hobe and more.
For additional information on any item in the auction, call Clars tollfree at 888-339-7600 or e-mail info@clars.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
