LiveAuctioneers will provide Internet live bidding.
A look at the fine art to be offered reveals an extensive and impressive list of works by American and international artists. Among the numerous highlights in this category is an unframed oil on paper laid on artist’s mount by Paul Klee (Swiss, 1879-1940). Entitled Landhaus im Norden, 1925, this work is estimated to achieve $400,000 to $600,000. From Fernando Cueto Amorsolo (Filipino, 1892-1972) will be his framed oil on canvas entitled Under the Mango Tree estimated to $35,000 to $45,000, and a framed color pencil on paper entitled Tete de Profil by Amedeo Modigliani (Italian, 1884-1920) will draw international bidding. Its estimate is $80,000 to $120,000.
Turning to American works, a beautifully executed oil on canvas by William Keith (California, 1838-1911) entitled View of San Anslemo Valley with Mount Tam is expected to earn $30,000 to $50,000. This work was purchased directly from Keith and comes to auction through family descent. Vaughn Flannery (American, 1898-1955) will be represented with his framed oil on canvas entitles Heaton Park Races, 1944. One of four to be offered, this work is estimated at $30,000 to $50,000. An important work by Milton Avery (America, 1885-1965) entitled Afternoon Landscape will also draw national attention. It has an $80,000 to $120,000 estimate.
Fine art comes in many forms and Edward H. Bohlin was truly the master of art in leather and sterling. His saddles are revered worldwide, and Clars is very pleased to offer a circa 1940 Bohlin saddle with extensive sterling mounts. It is expected to bring $15,000 to $20,000.
This auction will feature a number of offerings of particular historic significance. First is a rare and important document from the “Golden Age of England — the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.” Coming to the auction with an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000 will be a framed indenture from Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) dated 1563 and with the Royal Great Seal. The indenture states the terms of a loan Queen Elizabeth I is taking out through her financier Sir Thomas Gresham (1519-1579). The indenture is signed on the reverse by the privy council, Robert Dudley (1532-1588), Lord Keeper of the Great Seal Sir William Cecil (1520-1598), Sir Nicholas Bacon (1510-1579), William Howard of Effingham (1510-1573) and Sir Francis Knollys (1514-1596). It was in 1563, the same year as this signed indenture, that Elizabeth I moved the Royal Court to Windsor Castle to avoid the bubonic plague. Clars is honored to be able to represent this piece on behalf of a major San Francisco Area estate and anticipates brisk international bidding on this historic document.
Also of historic importance is a presentation bronze medal inscribed to the captain, officers and crew of the RMS Carpathia in recognition of services from the survivors of the Titanic, April 15, 1912. Estimated at $2,000 to $4,000, this piece comes from the Marcollo Collection. Also from this collection will be a selection of period steam ship lithographs.
Another collection of historic documents will be offered including a signed Abraham Lincoln appointment dated 1861, a letter signed by Teddy Roosevelt and another signed by Napoleon Bonaparte.
Important book offerings will also be a highlight of this sale. First is a collection of prints in two volumes from the rare book Pictures for the Purpose of Illustrating the Dramatic Works of Shakespeare by the Artists of Great Britain, published in London by John Josiah Boydell, 1803 followed by a first edition of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Published in 1939, this lot also includes the first state dust jacket.
Among the important antique furnishings to be offered will be a German Black Forest hall tree estimated to earn $4,000 to $6,000. Fine furniture will include an American Eastlake walnut secretary bookcase, circa 1880, and a Continental Renaissance-style marble-top sideboard, circa 1870. The Arts and Crafts Movement will be represented with a large selection of tile-top tables and classic style wood pieces.
Classic car aficionados will have the opportunity to bid and buy a wonderful 1940 Packard 120 sedan, which expected to earn $30,000 to $40,000, and antique gun collectors will be interested in a William Golcher .52-caliber rifle, circa 1850, made by Golcher himself at the age of 17. The rifle is engraved with an American eagle at the charred maple stock and the barrel is marked “James Golcher Maker Philadelphia.” This rifle is estimated at $20,000 to $30,000.
Decorative arts will include a framed Berlin porcelain hand-painted plaque signed “J.X. Tallmaier Munchen” and a Daum Nancy table lamp with hand-wrought mounts. On a larger scale will be a selection of American carousel animals including a Carmel “jumper” horse, and a Herschell Spillman zebra. Two music boxes will be offered. The first is a Regina player with 23 discs, the second an M.J. Paillard interchangeable cylinder music box, circa 1879 complete with two extra cased cylinders and an original play list.
Clars is traditionally strong in fine Asian antiques and art. In their February sale, they will be offering a pair of large Southeast Asian patinated bronzes chinthe/leogryph, circa 19th century. Also to be offered is a Chinese coral figural carving of a celestial maiden and children and a selection of Chinese scholar’s objects.
Sterling offerings will be exceptional at this sale including a Wallace sterling silver flatware service in the Sappho pattern, and another extensive Wallace flatware service in the Violet pattern estimated at $10,000 to $15,000. A Georgian cruet set, circa 1740, by Samuel Woods will be offered and a Rebecca Eames and Edward Barnard I, London 1847 four-piece tea service is estimated at $4,000 to $6,000.
And, as always, jewelry offerings will be spectacular. A diamond solitaire pendant and neck chain set in platinum is set with a 10.09 carats (GIA, L color, VS2 clarity) pear-cut diamond and a stunning diamond solitaire ring set in platinum sports a 3.25-carat round brilliant cut diamond.
The sale will be held Saturday, Feb. 5, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Pacific and Sunday, Feb. 6, at 10 a.m. Previews will be Friday, Feb. 4, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. each auction day and by special appointment.
Bidding for this sale is available in person, by phone, absentee and live online at www.clars.com and through www.liveauctioneers.com.
Clars Auction Gallery is located at 5644 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609.
For details e-mail: info@clars.com or call 888-339-7600.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
