August Highlights

  • Auction

The August sale at Clars will be led by the Asian art department with numerous highlights from porcelains, to furniture and paintings, among others.

Asian Art

The Asian art department will offer a fine selection of Asian works of art on Sunday, August 14th. This auction will include various exquisite Chinese Imperial metal works, ceramics, huanghuali furniture, Buddhist objects and other categories of Asian works of art.


Chinese imperial bronze 	‘dragon’ vase, Mark and Period of Qianlong.
Chinese imperial bronze ‘dragon’ vase, Mark and Period of Qianlong.

The sale will be led by two related Qing dynasty imperial bronze square-form zun vases. Each features five-clawed dragons in pursuit of flaming pearls amid scrolling clouds in low relief. One vase features a six-character Qianlong mark, and the other one features a six-character Jiaqing mark. The precision and intricacy of the molding indicates the imperial origin, while the patina on the surface demonstrates the age. Both square-form zun vases were acquired in Tokyo, Japan, circa 1949. Another imperial object is a cloisonne enamel ‘crane and peach’ wall panel, depicting a pair of cranes perching on a garden rock under nine peaches, symbolizing longevity and prosperity.

The porcelain section will feature a blue and white brush pot of the Kangxi period. The cylindrical scholars’ object is painted with scholars in a serene mountain and river landscape with a fishman sailing on a boat. The masterful utilization of shades depicts the depth of the landscape, while the vivid illustration of the figures adds a lively touch to the tranquil scene.


Liu Guosong (Chinese, b. 1932), <em>Smokey Landscape</em>.
Liu Guosong (Chinese, b. 1932), Smokey Landscape.

Other highlights of the sale include a Ming dynasty bronze figure of Manjushri, a pair of Qing dynasty celadon glazed arm rests, a huanghuali round-corners cabinet, a Liu Guosong (Chinese, b. 1932) watercolor depicting an abstract Smokey Landscape executed in 1980, a white jade bird-finial seal, and many other fine selections from various categories of Asian works of art.

Fine Art

The art portion of the Clars August sale will offer an exquisite watercolor and gouache on silk painting by renowned Bay Area artist, Chiura Obata (Japanese/American, 1885–1975). The 1933 painting, titled Shower, Point Lobos, captures Obata’s time in California and his exploration of the landscapes in the greater Bay Area. The intricate watercolor also demonstrates his skills at traditional Japanese sumi-e ink painting, a style Obata trained in as a young boy. Shower, Point Lobos will be offered on Sunday August 14th with an estimate of $15,000–$20,000.


Chiura Obata (Japanese/American, 1885–1975), Shower, Point Lobos, 1933, watercolor and gouache on silk, 19.5" x 14".To be offered: August 14thEstimate: $15,000–$20,000
Chiura Obata (Japanese/American, 1885–1975), Shower, Point Lobos, 1933, watercolor and gouache on silk, 19.5″ x 14″.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

The Furniture & Decorative Arts portion of the auction will be led by a large 18th century Flemish verdure tapestry, depicting a castle within a naturalistic setting, estimated at $8,000–$12,000. The tapestry was the centerpiece on the wall of chic San Francisco, CA Financial District pied-de-terre. Also coming up the auction block will be an early Mughal School miniature painting attributed to Payag, also known as Prayaga, dating to 17th century, depicting a mystic sitting around campfire with a group of devotees; this painting is a highlight from an impressive collection of Indian miniature paintings, presale estimate of $30,000–$50,000.


Flemish Verdure Tapestry.
Flemish Verdure Tapestry.
An Indian miniature painting, gouache on paper, depicting an ascetic before a cave attended by various figures, sight 9" x 6.5".
An Indian miniature painting, gouache on paper, depicting an ascetic before a cave attended by various figures, sight 9″ x 6.5″.

There is also a lovely mélange of 19th century European ceramics and 20th century art glass including a large Spanish Triana majolica basin featuring a rabbit, a fine Victorian pair of Minton porcelain pate sur pate pilgrim flasks depicting a scenes from Aesop’s fables and a Daum pate de verre glass ‘Les Danseurs’ figural group.


Pair Pate Sure Pate Moon Flasks.To be offered: August 14th
A fine pair of Minton porcelain pate sur pate pilgrim flasks of Aesop’s fables by Thomas H. Rice or Frederick Alfred Rhead, last quarter 19th century, one depicting the tortoise and hare, and the cow and frog, indistinct ‘TR’ artist’s cipher in decoration, gold printed crowned globe mark, impressed ‘MINTONS,’ shape 1819, date cypher for 1872 or 1882, original paper label, 10.25″ h.
A Daum pate de verre glass ‘Les Danseurs’ figural group, designed by Dan Dailey, limited edition 5 of 200, engraved ‘5 / 200,’ (restored), 14.25" h x 13.25" w. Provenance: Property of a prominent Hillsborough, CA estate.
A Daum pate de verre glass ‘Les Danseurs’ figural group, designed by Dan Dailey, limited edition 5 of 200, engraved ‘5 / 200,’ (restored), 14.25″ h x 13.25″ w. Provenance: Property of a prominent Hillsborough, CA estate.

Fine Jewelry

The Fine Jewelry & Timepiece department at Clars Auction Gallery is excited to offer a selection of diamond, colored gemstone and gold jewelry, in their upcoming August 14th sale.


A Retro diamond and fourteen karat gold ring.
A Retro diamond and fourteen karat gold ring.

This sale features a variety of wardrobe staples to build up the foundation of your jewelry collection at accessible price points, including diamond jewelry such as a pair of diamond and fourteen karat white gold earrings, estimated at $3,000–$5,000 and a Retro diamond and fourteen karat gold ring, estimated at $1,000–$2,000. To be offered as well is a colorful gemstone selection, including a peridot, pink beryl and fourteen karat gold ring, estimated at $400–$600 and a sapphire, diamond and eighteen karat gold ring, estimated at $800–$1,200. Other wearable pieces that will highlight your everyday life are represented by a gemstone and eighteen karat gold brooch, by Fred Paris, estimated at $800–$1,200.


A gemstone and eighteen karat gold brooch, Fred Paris.
A gemstone and eighteen karat gold brooch, Fred Paris.
Bidding for Clars’ August 13–14, 2022 auctions is available by phone, absentee bid, and live online at Live.Clars.com and through Liveauctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Clars Auction Gallery is located at 5644 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609.

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 including the Richard Mellon Scaife Estate, the Thomas J. Perkins Estate and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC).

In the last 5 years, Clars Auction Gallery has sold well over $125,000,000 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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