OAKLAND, Calif. – Clars’ Nov. 16-17 sale will bring to the market an exciting presentation of European and American fine art, important designs in Modern furniture and a most extraordinary collection of solid gold bars and silver and gold coins. In addition, the highly anticipated second installment of the Robin Leach Collection will make this auction one to watch. The property to be offered at this sale comes from prominent California estates as well as museums, private institutions and special collections. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

A rare numismatic collection composed of over 500 gold coins from countries around the world including Great Britain, South Africa and the United States will captivate collectors. This massive collection will be offered in grouped lots by country, denomination and age. In addition, a rare UBS one kilo gold bar, .9999 24K pure gold will headline this sale with an estimate of $40,000–$60,000.

European masters will take center stage in the Fine Art offerings in November. Baroque painter Melchior de Hondecoeter (Dutch, 1636-1695), renowned for his studies of birds and wildlife, will be represented with his oil on canvas titled Peacocks at Nights, 1676. This work is a rich representation of his ability to capture the colors and beauty of this species and will be offered for $40,000-$60,000. [PHOTO 2]

Turning to Britain, a stunning oil on canvas portrait of Ann Ford by Gainsborough Dupont (British, 1754-1797) titled Lady at the Glass Harmonica (above), carries an estimate of $30,000-$50,000. The sitter, Ann Ford, later became Mrs. Philip Thinknesse in 1762.

Mihaly Munkacsy (Hungarian, 1844-1900) achieved international renown for his genre and large-scale biblical paintings. His works were highly sought after by American millionaires and in the late 1880s, he was Europe’s highest-paid painter. Coming to Clars on November 17th will be his oil on canvas titled The Good Samaritan which will be offered for $20,000-$40,000 (below).

American artists will also be well represented at this sale. By Richard Hayley Lever (Australian-American, 1876-1958) will be his vibrant oil on canvas titled Hansom Cab at the Plaza that will be offered for $20,000-$40,000 (below).

One of the most impressive works in the American Painting offerings will be, Hanalei Bay, Kauai, 1931, by David Howard Hitchcock (American, 1861-1943). Known as the first homegrown artist from Hawaii to receive international recognition, David Howard Hitchcock’s painting of Hanalaei Bay, Hawaii, 1931, will be offered to the public for the first time in over 60 years. Hitchcock grew up in Oahu and studied painting in high school. By chance, the young man met Jules Tavernier, a famous French artist while in Hawaii who saw his work and encouraged him to pursue the discipline. Hitchcock then became the first formally trained artist to come from Hawaii, studying first at the National Academy of Design New York and then the Academie Julian in France. Returning to Hawaii in 1893 Hitchcock became well known for his landscape paintings and particularly his paintings depicting the great Volcanoes of Hawaii. He, along with Tavernier became known as the Volcano School and attracted collectors and crowds from around the world to his studio. This painting, surfacing to the public for the first time in at least 60 years, depicts the serene area of Hanalei Bay, Hawaii. This depiction of Kauai’s most famous Bay by Hawaii’s first famous artist will certainly sail from its modest $10,000-$15,000 estimate.

Rounding out the fine art highlights will be important 20th century photography offerings by Edward Weston, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Jim Marshall, and Brassai.

Modern furniture will be featured prominently in the auction with a Finn Juhl for Neils Vodder Chieftain chair the highlight of these offerings. Executed in black leather, this chair is signed with the branded manufacturer’s mark “Neils Vodder Cabinetmaker Copenhagen, Denmark” and will be offered for $30,000-$50,000.

A plate glass armchair by Louis Dierra for Pittsburgh Plate Glass for the 1939 New York World’s Fair is another significant piece that is estimated to sell for $10,000-$15,000. An Aldo Tura credenza will be also offered for $10,000-$15,000.

For the second installment of the Robin Leach Collection, highlights will include a selection of fine paperweights by various makers including as Baccarat and an extensive selection of sculptures by Pal Kepenyes, Steve Tobin and Robert Wyland.

The jewelry department will offer a number of pieces by renowned jewelry makers like Verdura, Bulgari, Chaumet and Ilias Lalounis. Highlights include a stunning diamond, 18K gold necklace decorated with a line of graduated elephants, estimated at $9,000-$10,000.

The Asian category will be highlighted by a framed and glazed ink on paper by Qi Baishi (Chinese, 1963-1957) titled Tea Kettle, Lotus Roots and Seeds which will be offered for $6,000-$8,000.

The sales will begin at 9:30 a.m. Pacific time/12:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday and Sunday. For more information contact Clars Auction Gallery at info@clars.com.

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