August Auction Highlights

  • Auction
  • Highlights

Clars Auctions is pleased to announce its August Auction, taking place on Friday, August 15th, at 9:30 AM PDT. This sale presents a thoughtfully curated selection of fine furniture, decorative arts, ethnographic works, fine art, and jewelry — offering exceptional pieces for collectors, connoisseurs, and design enthusiasts alike.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

There will be an expansive offering of furniture and decorative arts in our August 15th auction. Highlights include ethnographic works from African, Pacific Northwest, Luristan, and Pre-Columbian cultures. The selection is further enriched by antique English and Continental furniture, sterling silver, and modern design pieces. Unique and collectible items such as a Louis Vuitton suitcase, musical instruments, Swarovski binoculars, and a Leica camera add further interest to this multifaceted sale.


A Mayan plate depicting a priest on throne. Estimate: $1,800–$2,500
A Mayan plate depicting a priest on throne.
Estimate: $1,800–$2,500
(lot of 2) A vintage Louis Vuitton suitcase.<br><b>Estimate: $700–$900</b>
(lot of 2) A vintage Louis Vuitton suitcase.
Estimate: $700–$1,000

Fine Art

The Fine Art department brings together a diverse group of works from notable artists across time periods and geographies. One of the standout offerings is an oil on canvas by Edward Mitchell Bannister (American/Canadian, 1828–1901), a pioneering African American artist. Born in New Brunswick and active in Boston and Providence, Bannister rose to prominence despite the challenges of racial discrimination. His serene 1893 landscape — depicting a marshy pond beneath a dappled gray sky — reflects his signature pastoral style. The work is estimated at $10,000–$15,000, following the recent success of a Bannister painting sold at Clars in July for $30,720.


Edward Mitchell Bannister (American, 1828–1901), Untitled (Summer Reflections), 1893, oil on canvas, 16.25″ x 20.25″. Estimate: $10,000–$15,000
Edward Mitchell Bannister (American, 1828–1901), Untitled (Summer Reflections), 1893, oil on canvas, 16.25″ x 20.25″.
Estimate: $10,000–$15,000

Also featured is an oil on canvas by Paris-born artist Marcel Dyf (1899–1985), a post-Impressionist painter whose work reflects the influence of Renoir and Manet. The painting, Une Vue du Port de Cannes, captures boats docked along the southern French harbor beneath an overcast sky and is estimated at $3,000–$5,000.


Marcel Dyf (French, 1899–1985), Une Vue du Port de Cannes, circa 1950, oil on canvas, 15″ x 18.25″. Estimate: $3,000–$5,000
Marcel Dyf (French, 1899–1985), Une Vue du Port de Cannes, circa 1950, oil on canvas, 15″ x 18.25″.
Estimate: $3,000–$5,000

Another noteworthy highlight is a historical 1896 lithograph of the Sutro Baths, the iconic San Francisco landmark built by Adolph Sutro. The image shows the baths at their height, filled with swimmers and illuminated by sunlight pouring through the grand glass ceiling. This evocative print, which captures a bygone era of the city’s history, is estimated at $2,000–$4,000.


Anonymous, Sutro Baths of San Francisco, 1896, lithograph in colors on four sheets of wove paper (linen-backed with margins), 79.5″ x 77.5″. Estimate: $2,000–$4,000
Anonymous, Sutro Baths of San Francisco, 1896, lithograph in colors on four sheets of wove paper (linen-backed with margins), 79.5″ x 77.5″.
Estimate: $2,000–$4,000

Building on the strong response to its July auction, Clars will offer additional pieces by celebrated Oaxacan artist Alejandro Santiago (Mexican, 1964–2013), known for his monumental work 2501 Migrantes. Santiago’s bold, abstract works on paper — four of which are included in the August auction — are complemented by several prints, each reflecting his vibrant color palette and socially conscious themes.

Fine Jewelry & Watches

The August 15th Fine Jewelry & Watches Auction will include a strong selection, offering a range of diamond, colored gemstone, and gold jewelry. Among the top highlights is a stunning 7.86-carat VS2 diamond and platinum ring, notable for its brilliance and rarity, with an estimate of $40,000–$60,000. Also featured is an exceptionally rare Tiffany & Co. brooch composed of a natural saltwater pearl, diamonds, and platinum-topped 18k gold, estimated at $8,000–$12,000.


A diamond and platinum solitaire ring. Estimate: $40,000–$60,000
A diamond and platinum solitaire ring.
Estimate: $40,000–$60,000
A Tiffany & Company Belle Epoque natural saltwater pearl, diamond and platinum topped 18k gold brooch. Estimate: $8,000–$12,000
A Tiffany & Company Belle Epoque natural saltwater pearl, diamond and platinum topped 18k gold brooch.
Estimate: $8,000–$12,000

This sale presents both timeless classics and exceptional finds across a range of price points, appealing to new buyers as well as seasoned jewelry collectors.

The Warehouse Auction: August 16th

On Saturday, August 16th Clars will host its Warehouse Auction, offering a diverse selection of items at accessible price points. This sale will feature an eclectic mix of art, prints, photographs, modern and antique furniture, silver, porcelain, glass, fashion, and decorative objects. Notable highlights from the Asian Art section will include Japanese woodblock prints, ceramics, and folding screens — perfect for collectors looking to add unique, culturally significant pieces to their collections. The jewelry segment will showcase a variety of affordable diamond and silver necklaces, while the broader Warehouse Auction will offer an affordable range of modern and antique furniture, home décor and collectible toys.

Bidding for Clars’ August auctions is available by phone, absentee bid, live online at Live.Clars.com and through Liveauctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Clars Auctions is located at 5644 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609.

Clars Auctions is based in Oakland (CA) and is the largest full-service auction gallery in the Western United States. Clars Auctions 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 Auctions has sold well over $500,000,000 of Fine Art, Furnishings, Jewelry, Vehicles and Collectibles and has set multiple new world auction records. Follow Clars on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

Read More

Important Fine Art Highlights

On September 18th, Clars Auctions is pleased to present a special selection of outstanding fine art that will appeal to each and every collector.

  • Fine Art
  • Highlights

Stunning Diamonds on the Auction Block

The August 15th Fine Jewelry & Watches Auction will include a strong selection, offering a range of diamond, colored gemstone, and gold jewelry.

  • Fine Jewelry & Watches
  • Highlights

Modern Design: Visionaries of the 20th Century

Clars will offer a strong lineup of Modern Design in our July 18th auction. Highlights include pieces by Philip and Kelvin Laverne, Robert Mallet-Stevens, and James Mont.

  • Design
  • Highlights

Mexican Fine Art Highlights

Clars is pleased to offer an assorted collection of paintings and prints by renowned Mexican artists at our July 18th auction.

  • Fine Art
  • Highlights

Fine Furniture: July Highlights

Clars will offer a strong lineup of fine traditional pieces and feature esteemed makers like William Moorcroft and Augustin Heyne in our July 18th Auction.

  • Furniture & Decorative Arts
  • Highlights

July Auction Highlights

This dynamic auction features modern and traditional furniture, notable fine art, exquisite jewelry, and important Asian works of art.

  • Auction
  • Highlights