Okada canvas graces Clarke Auction Gallery sale, Sept. 12
Kenzo Okada, ‘Unsolved,’ est. $8,000-$12,000
LARCHMONT, N.Y. — An embarrassment of riches will cross the block at Clarke Auction Gallery in its Important Estates Auction on September 12, starting at 10 am Eastern time. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
Sure to be a standout, a fine jade, lapis and enamel clock is attributed to Cartier estimated at $80,000-$120,000. It features a beautifully incised archaistic-style jade vase with tube form handles and gold mounts. The clock boasts a carved lapis lazuli finial with onyx and probably carved agate on the lid, along with vibrant floral enameling on the clock dial. “This is an extraordinary carved jade with vibrant use of colors throughout the enamel work and Art Deco charm — an absolute once-in-a-lifetime treasure,” said Whitney Bria, Clarke’s jewelry and silver specialist.
Jade, lapis and enamel clock, est. $80,000-$120,000
The artwork in the auction ranges from native art to Abstract Expressionism and many artists and styles in between. Highlights include a group of five acrylics on canvas by Emily Kame Kngwarreye, an Aboriginal Australian artist who had no formal training as an artist but learned in the Anmatyerre tradition. The five paintings, conservatively estimated at $20,000-$30,000, are part of her Yam Drawing series and were done in 1996, the year of her death.
Five works from Aboriginal Australian artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye’s ‘Yam Drawing’ series, est. $20,000-$30,000
“She was one of the great Aboriginal painters and pretty widely heralded,” said Clarke’s fine art specialist William Schweller. “I think what makes these interesting is they are these beautiful lyrical abstracts but they were developed independently of Western painting. She lived in the Northwest Territories of Australia and did not have contact with the art world so these are really fascinating and mystical pieces.”
Another standout is Japanese-American artist Kenzo Okada’s signed oil on canvas, Unsolved, which is estimated at $8,000-$12,000. The artist came to the United States in the 1950s and threw himself into Abstract Expressionism, Schweller said. “He exhibited at the Betty Parsons Gallery. This painting was shown there and he was part of that greater New York school milieu,” he said. “His work gets really praised for its economy of form and he displays a lot of restraint in his abstracts.”
Rolex Submariner two-tone watch 18K yellow gold and stainless steel, est. $8,000-$10,000
Highlighting the jewelry and watches category is a large collection of men’s watches from several estates, including a Rolex Viceroy, a Rolex Bubbleback, a Rolex Submariner, and a Rolex Oyster Perpetual, as well as examples by Tiffany, Le Coultre Memovox, Chopard, Glashutte and Omega.
Pair of French .950 silver Noble candelabras, est. $7,000-$9,000
Leading the silver selections is a pair of French .950 silver Noble candelabras with an interesting provenance, which Bria detailed: “The consignor’s grandfather was once the president of Turkey and was gifted these candelabra from the Eastern Orthodox Patriarch, Athengora.” The pair is estimated at $7,000-$9,000. Also from this state comes a four-piece Persian silver samovar, estimated at $4,000-$6,000, and a pair of Italian O. Pini 19th-century silver candelabra with dog form finials, estimated at $2,000-$3,000.
Rounding out the auction will be a Rene Lalique Coquelicots chandelier, estimated at $6,000-$9,000; a Cellini handmade Graff, Washbourne & Dunn sterling flatware set, estimated at $2,000-$3,000; and a limited edition Chanel Strass mini flap bag, estimated at $4,000-$6,000.
For more information visit the Clarke Auction Gallery website, www.clarkeny.com, or call 914-833-8336.
View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/
