Oakland, CA, 18 and 19 – June 2016 – On Saturday and Sunday, June 18th and 19th, 2016, Clars Auction Gallery hosted what would result in the firm’s second largest sale in their 44 year history. Over $3 million was realized throughout the course of the two-day event with Decorative Arts and exceptional Asian offerings each vying for top category realizing over $1.2 million each. After the sale, President Redge Martin noted, “there was exceptionally strong bidding throughout the sale with a number of surprises as there often are at auction.”
Chinese Automaton Triple Fusee Bracket Clock
Sold for $929,000
June 19, 2016
Decorative Arts & Furnishings
The top lot of the entire sale was a very rare and beautiful Chinese Automaton Triple Fusee Bracket Clock which sold to a phone bidder for an impressive $929,000 and was the highest single lot ever sold at auction by Clars. The clock measured 36 inches tall and the gilt bronze case was embellished with elegant filigree mounts. Mythical figures adorned the corners as did seashell handles and jeweled floral mounts. The porcelain dial measured 6” with a mirror plate above. The animation was extraordinary with animated swimming ducks on the hour and a large spinning pinwheel surrounded by 10 smaller pinwheels topped by a jeweled teardrop finish the very top of this work of art.
Chinese Export silver teapot
Sold for $27,830
June 19, 2016
Coming in second place in Decorative Arts was the surprise sale of a Chinese Export silver teapot with pierced dragon accents, fronted by the Three Immortals. This teapot was estimated to sell for $400-600 but sold for an astonishing $27,830. Deric Torres, Vice President of Decorative Arts & Furnishings commented that, “the buyer was a very experienced collector and the consignor was delighted with the surprising results of the sale.”
Rounding out the top sellers in furniture and design were two automobiles. The first, a 2006 Mercedes Benz E 350 sedan went out for $11,500 and a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta SE sedan cruised away for $12,100.
Asian Art & Antiques
The Asian category featured the important collection of 20th Chinese Huanghuali furniture from the Dr. Bernard C. Gerber Collection of South Dakota which drew serious bidders from around the globe. Selling for well over high estimate for $145,000 was a huanghuali dining suite consisting of table with six floating panels and six “lamp hanger” side chairs. Also soaring past high estimate was a huanghuali altar table that sold exceptionally well for $84,700 (estimate: $30,000 – $50,000).
Huanghuali dining suite
Sold for $84,700
June 19, 2016
Several other lots offered also soared past their high estimates making for a very exciting sale. A Chinese Guan-type brush washer was offered for $2,500-$4,500 but competitive bidding drove this lot higher and higher to a final sale price of $54,450. Surpassing this lot was a small Chinese gold vessel with a spinach jade stand that came to the sale with an estimate of $8,000 – $12,000. Once again, bidding forced the final sale price on this lot to $57,475. Finally, a great deal of unexpected attention was seen on a lovely Chinese iron and wood saddle from the Dr. Bernard C. Gerber Estate. Expected to achieve $2,000 – $4,000, this red silk brocade saddle rode off proudly for $39,325.
Chinese Guan-type brush washer
Sold for $54,450
June 19, 2016
Chinese iron and wood saddle
Sold for $39,325
July 19, 2016
Rare Rolex Cosmograph stainless steel wristwatch
Sold for $45,375
June 10, 2016
Jewelry and Timepieces
It seemed the “time” was on Clars’ side at this auction as a rare and fine gentlemen’s Rolex Cosmograph wristwatch, circa 1964/1965, ref. 6239, accompanied by original papers, was expected to sell for $15,000 – 20,000 but sold for an amazing $45,375. And to dazzle the ladies, a princess cut diamond (2.01 ct.) and platinum solitaire ring sold for solidly within estimate for $8,470.
Fine Art
Rounding out this impressive sale were several works of note offered in the Fine Art category. Selling for well over high estimate was a watercolor titled “Fishing in a Canoe” by Ogden Minton Pleissner (American, 1905-1983). Offered for $7,000 – $10,000, this lovely painting brought $15,730.
Ogden Minton Pleissner (American, 1905-1983),
Fishing in a Canoe, watercolor, 14.5” x 23.5”
Sold for $15,730
June 19, 2016
By Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973), his terre de faience bowl title “Personnages” 1956, was partially glazed and painted red, brown, and black with the Medoura Plein Feu and Picasso stamps, edition 72/100. This work sold very well for $14,520. Also performing well was “Le Grand Ordonnateur,” 1969, by Joan Miro (Spanish/French, 1893-1983). This etching with aquatint printed in colors with carborundum came to the sale from the Masterworks Gallery in Los Angeles, CA and achieved a solid price of $13,310.
Pablo Picasso
(Spanish, 1881-1973),
Personnages,
1956, terre de faience bowl,
10.6″x10.6″
Sold for $14,520
June 18, 2016
For more information and complete list of prices realized, please visit www.clars.com or email info@clars.com
Clars’ next Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry/Timepieces and Asian Art Auction will be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 16th and 17th, 2016. The sales will begin promptly at 9:30am on Saturday and Sunday. Previews for this sale will be held Friday, July 15th from 1pm to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9:00 am and by appointment the week prior. A complete catalog will be available online one and one-half weeks prior to the sale. For more information, please visit www.clars.com or email: info@clars.com
Clars Auction Gallery is based in Oakland (CA) and is the largest full service auction gallery in the Western United States. Clars Auction Gallery has been the chosen auction gallery of a number of institutions and distinguished private collectors across the country.
Bidding for Clars’ auctions is available in person, by phone, absentee and live online at www.Live.Clars.com and through www.liveauctioneers.com, and www.Invaluable.com. Clars Auction Gallery is located at 5644 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609.
Since 2001, Clars Auction Gallery has sold over $150,000,000 of Fine Art, Furnishings, Jewelry, Vehicles and Collectibles and has set multiple new world auction records. Follow Clars on Facebook and Twitter!
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