Clars Auctions – Trusted Auction House Near Palo Alto, California

Clars is a premier auction house near Palo Alto, California, offering expert services for buying, selling, and appraising fine art, antiques, jewelry, furniture, Asian art, and more.

With a long-standing reputation as one of the leading Bay Area auction houses, we provide a seamless experience for collectors, trust and estate officers, fiduciaries, and first-time bidders. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell art and antiques near Palo Alto, Clars offers the professional expertise and global reach you need.

Visit Us

Our auction house is a short drive from Palo Alto, making it easy for Bay Area collectors, consignors, and appraisers to visit us in person for valuations, gallery previews, and live auctions. Our Oakland location offers a spacious, welcoming environment where clients can speak with trusted California auctioneers, view upcoming lots, and participate in our dynamic auction events.

Can’t Visit in Person? Participate Remotely

If you’re based in Palo Alto and can’t attend in person, Clars offers multiple convenient ways to bid from anywhere:

• Telephone Bidding: Get personalized service and place live bids by phone with one of our experienced staff.
• Online Auctions: Browse our digital catalogs and place real-time bids from your home or office.
• Absentee Bidding: Submit your maximum bid in advance and let us handle the rest.

These remote options ensure collectors and buyers in Palo Alto have full access to all of our sales, no matter where they are.

Explore Our Auction Departments

Clars Auctions offers a wide range of specialty departments that serve a global audience of collectors:

• Fine Art: Our Fine Art department includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and photography spanning from Old Masters to Contemporary works. From European landscapes to California plein air pieces and abstract modernism, Clars Auctions presents works by well-known and emerging artists alike.
• Furniture & Decorative Arts: Discover timeless furniture, silver, ceramics, clocks, and decorative objects from the 17th century to the present day. Our auctions regularly feature European and Asian furniture, California Mission-style pieces, and collectibles from around the world.
• Fine Jewelry & Watches: The Fine Jewelry & Watches department features fine diamond jewelry, signed designer pieces, antique brooches, engagement rings, vintage timepieces, and more. As one of the most trusted names for jewelry appraisal in California, Clars is a top destination for those in Palo Alto seeking appraisers for estate or resale purposes.
• Asian Art: Explore a curated selection of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Indian art, including porcelains, bronzes, jade carvings, textiles, calligraphy, and more. Our Asian art auctions are highly regarded by collectors worldwide, and we are proud to offer auction valuations and appraisal services to clients in Palo Alto and throughout California.
• Modern + Contemporary Art & Design: We specialize in Post-War and Contemporary Art and collectible design. Our auctions include important 20th-century artworks, mid-century modern furniture, and decorative arts by renowned names such as Frank Lloyd Wright, George Nakashima, and Hans Wegner.
• Historical Property: Our Historical Property department handles significant estate collections, archival property, and memorabilia. We work closely with fiduciaries, attorneys, and institutions to catalog and bring these items to auction.
• Fine & Rare Wines: Clars is proud to offer curated fine and rare wine auctions, including Napa Valley wine auction lots and collectible wines from historic vineyards. Our events attract wine collectors, sommeliers, and enthusiasts from across the region and beyond.

Selling with Clars Auctions

Thinking of selling? Clars offers:

• Fair market value appraisals
• Transparent consignment process
• National and international bidder reach

Buying at Our Auctions

Clars welcomes both seasoned collectors and new bidders. With access to global collectibles and luxury assets, you can find something special in every sale.

Browse Our Online Catalogs

Preview all upcoming auctions through our online catalogs, complete with item details, price estimates, and bidding instructions.

Our Auction Services

Clars provides tailored auction services for a wide range of clients:

Trusts & Estates: We work with fiduciaries, executors, and estate attorneys to manage collections and offer estate auction services with full transparency.

Museums & Institutions: Our team offers collection management, appraisals, and acquisition support for museums, universities, and cultural organizations.

Private Sellers: From single items to lifetime collections, our personalized consignment process ensures your property is positioned for maximum visibility and results.

With decades of experience and market insight, Clars is a trusted partner for both private and public clients across California.

Upcoming Auctions & Events

Clars hosts regular auctions across all major departments, offering both in-person and online bidding. Visit our Auction Calendar to view upcoming sales and valuation event dates.

About Clars Auctions

Founded in 1972, Clars Auctions has grown into one of the most respected auction houses in California, known for integrity, expertise, and exceptional results. Our Oakland showroom serves collectors and sellers from Palo Alto and across the Bay Area.