Clars Auctions is proud to present its May 15th Gallery Auction, distinguished by a commanding Important Fine Art section that will lead the sale.

This premier opening segment brings together an exceptional and thoughtfully curated group of works spanning American, European, and contemporary art, now further enriched by the inclusion of works by Fernando C. Amorsolo — one of the most celebrated figures in Philippine art — underscoring Clars’ continued strength in presenting high-caliber, globally significant fine art to the market.

A major highlight of the sale is La Lavandera (1937) by Fernando Amorsolo (Filipino, 1892–1972), an exceptional oil on board measuring 13 x 17 inches, estimated at $80,000–$120,000. Exemplifying Amorsolo’s masterful handling of light and his iconic depictions of rural Philippine life, this work stands as a rare and significant offering within the auction’s international fine art selection.

Also among the highlights is Xenia Hausner’s monumental Death Maiden (1999), estimated at $50,000–$70,000, a striking acrylic on fiberboard with provenance to Forum Gallery, New York, and a San Francisco private collection. In addition to its artistic significance, proceeds from this work will benefit Access Institute for Psychological Services, a nonprofit dedicated to providing critical mental health care to underserved communities.

Further reinforcing the strength of the Important Fine Art section are standout works such as An Old Street in Taos by Joseph Henry Sharp, estimated at $40,000–$60,000; and a rare four panel Monterey Cypress mural by Chiura Obata, estimated at $15,000–$25,000.

Collectors will also find notable examples by Julian Alden Weir, Leon Dabo, and Eustace Paul Ziegler, alongside important modern and contemporary voices including Christopher Brown, Bruce Nauman, and Gregory Crewdson.

The depth of the fine art offering continues with works connected to Pablo Picasso, including a ceramic Chouette aux Taches (1951), an etching from La Suite Vollard, and a tapestry after Jacqueline.

Significant California and American artists are well represented, with works by Granville Redmond, Maynard Dixon, Edward Potthast, and Wayne Thiebaud. Additional highlights include a bronze relief by Ruth Asawa, a sculptural work by Anne and Patrick Poirier, and contemporary pieces by Ben Quinn and Marcel Dzama — further demonstrating the breadth and quality of this leading section.

Clars Auctions is privileged to present Property from the Estate of Senator Dianne Feinstein and Richard C. Blum on May 14th beginning at 2 PM PDT, offering a rare opportunity to acquire distinguished works from their celebrated Sea Drift and Pacific Heights residences.

This exceptional collection reflects the refined taste and legacy of one of the most influential figures in modern American political history — the longest-serving female United States Senator, former Mayor of San Francisco, and past Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee — and her husband, the noted financier and philanthropist. The auction comprises an elegant, curated selection of luxury decorative arts, Asian works of art, and personal memorabilia from their shared homes.

Highlights from the sale include a striking Chinoiserie red-painted floor lamp; two framed landscapes, including a view of Diamond Head by Dianne Feinstein, estimated at $100–$150; a plaster portrait of Feinstein as Mayor of San Francisco by Romany Downie, dated 1982, estimated at $200–$300; and a group of seven Chinese porcelain table articles, estimated at $1,000–$1,500.

Additional offerings include a Mottahedeh porcelain dinner service in the Tobacco Leaf pattern, estimated at $1,800–$2,500; a pair of Chamberlain’s Worcester lozenge-shaped dishes, estimated at $200–$300; three Tibetan Buddhist silver ritual objects, estimated at $200–$300; and two color serigraph artist’s proofs by Melanie Taylor Kent: Return of the Cable Cars and Golden Gate Bridge, estimated at $400–$600.

Following the Important Fine Art session, the May Gallery Auction continues with a diverse and compelling selection across multiple collecting categories.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

Furniture & Decorative Arts offerings include a Bernhard Rhone for Mastercraft low table, estimated at $500–$700; a fine French Régence ormolu-mounted commode, estimated at $3,000–$5,000; a French Neoclassical polychrome and parcel-gilt console table, estimated at $1,000–$2,000; and a Stickley Audi bow arm Morris chair with ottoman, estimated at $1,200–$1,800.

Fine Jewelry & Watches

The Fine Jewelry section features an antique turquoise and 15k gold necklace and earring suite, estimated at $4,000–$8,000, alongside distinctive antique brooches including lava stone and gemstone snake examples.

Asian Art

Asian Works of Art highlights include a Chinese blue and white ‘qilin’ charger from the Transitional period, estimated at $3,000–$5,000; a famille rose ‘hundred bats’ charger bearing a Guangxu mark, estimated at $2,000–$4,000; and an 18th-century huanghuali chest, estimated at $4,000–$6,000.

The Warehouse Auction: May 16th

The series concludes on Saturday, May 16th with The Warehouse Auction, an eclectic and accessible sale offering decorative arts, furnishings, collectibles, and estate material. Known for its breadth and opportunity, this auction provides bidders with the chance to discover unique pieces and exceptional value across numerous collecting categories.

Clars will present a two-day auction series beginning with the Gallery Auction on Friday, April 17th, followed by the Warehouse Auction on Saturday, April 18th. The upcoming sales bring together a curated selection of fine art, Asian works of art, jewelry, and decorative design, offering collectors access to a wide range of significant works spanning international markets and periods.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

The Furniture & Decorative Arts category features significant examples of studio furniture and refined European-inspired design. An Arthur Espenet Carpenter double music stand, estimated at $2,000–$4,000, demonstrates the designer’s sculptural approach to utilitarian objects. Also included is a Rose Tarlow chinoiserie lacquer coffee table estimated at $3,000–$5,000, blending traditional Asian-inspired motifs with contemporary luxury design.

Additional highlights include a Reed & Barton sterling silver flatware service in the “Francis I” pattern estimated at $15,000–$20,000, a large Neoclassical style giltwood pier mirror estimated at $1,500–$2,500, and a Florentine scagliola table top by Emilio Martelli estimated at $3,000–$5,000, showcasing decorative techniques rooted in European craftsmanship traditions.

Fine Art

The Fine Art department presents a strong group of American and international modern works, led by William Wendt’s Untitled (Laguna Hills), 1912, estimated at $10,000–$15,000. This piece is a plein air composition capturing Southern California’s rolling terrain with Wendt’s characteristic tonal structure and impressionist influence.

Aubrey Beardsley’s The Toilet, circa 1895, estimated at $6,000–$9,000, exemplifies the artist’s highly stylized Art Nouveau line work and includes provenance from the Joan and Lester Avnet Collection. Dr. Atl’s Volcano, estimated at $3,000–$5,000, reflects the artist’s dramatic engagement with natural forces through expressive charcoal technique.

Additional works include Victor Higgins’ Untitled (Near Taos) estimated at $10,000–$15,000, Granville Redmond’s Untitled (After the Storm) estimated at $4,000–$6,000, and Percy Gray’s View of Mount Tamalpais estimated at $3,000–$5,000, each contributing to a broader narrative of early 20th-century landscape and tonal modernism.

Fine Jewelry & Watches

The Fine Jewelry & Watches selection is led by a commanding Jadeite, diamond, ruby, and 18k gold dragon pendant, estimated at $10,000–$15,000, exemplifying traditional symbolic motifs rendered in high-carat gold and vibrant gemstones. Jadeite continues to be a strong category within the sale, represented by a bead necklace estimated at $3,500–$5,500 with evenly matched stones and elegant gold accents, a pendant estimated at $800–$1,200 highlighting minimalist design and natural translucency, and a bracelet estimated at $1,000–$1,500 featuring polished jadeite elements set in 14k gold.

The horology selection includes a Hublot Classic Fusion 77e Bol D’or Mirabaud edition #01/77 in 18k rose gold and enamel, estimated at $6,000–$10,000. It’s notable for its limited production and commemorative racing inspiration. To be offered alongside is an Audemars Piguet ladies 18k gold watch #01/02 estimated at $7,000–$10,000, reflecting refined Swiss craftsmanship and collectible rarity.

Asian Art

The Asian Works of Art category is anchored by finely executed Chinese porcelain and Japanese printmaking. Highlights include a blue and white figural rouleau vase estimated at $2,000–$4,000, notable for its detailed narrative figural decoration and classical form, and a blue and white and celadon ground “horse” vase estimated at $3,000–$5,000, distinguished by its striking contrast between cobalt motifs and soft celadon glazing.

Also featured is Kawase Hasui’s Morning at Tsutanuma Pond, estimated at $2,000– $4,000, a serene woodblock print reflecting Hasui’s mastery of light and atmospheric landscape within the Shin-hanga tradition. Additional highlights include a finely embroidered Chinese silk “Shaoulao and Magu” panel estimated at $2,000–$4,000 which depicts auspicious Daoist figures associated with longevity, and a Japanese cloisonné enamel “carp” plaque estimated at $600–$900 — a decorative work symbolizing perseverance and good fortune.

The Warehouse Auction: April 18th

On Saturday, April 18th, Clars Auctions will host its Warehouse Auction, presenting a broad and eclectic selection of property offered at accessible price points. The sale features a wide range of categories, including art, prints, photographs, modern and antique furniture, silver, porcelain, glass, fashion, and an array of decorative objects.

The Asian Art section offers Japanese woodblock prints, ceramics, and folding screens, while the jewelry selection includes an appealing assortment of affordable diamond and silver necklaces. The auction is further complemented by a diverse offering of modern and antique furniture, home décor, and collectible toys, making the Warehouse Auction an inviting opportunity for collectors of all levels to discover distinctive and meaningful pieces.

When the press publicizes a jade bangle bracelet or necklace fetching millions of dollars at auction, collectors worldwide wonder if their jade is also valuable. What is jade and where does it come from?

The term jade gets its meaning from the Spanish term “piedra da ijada”, or loin stone. The ancient Chinese revered jade as the “Stone of Heaven”. In Mesoamerica, the local jade available was jadeite and its spread throughout the New World has been documented. Even though Jadeite in China would not be known of for thousands of years, once discovered, Burma jade was the only jade China used.

In jewelry, typically, there are two varieties of jade: jadeite and nephrite. Jadeite is the most valuable. It comes in a multitude of colors, from deep greens to lavender, white, gray and black. What gives jade its value primarily is the degree of translucency and the evenness of color.

Jadeite has also been found in many places, including near Omi Province, Japan; in San Benito County, California; in Kazakhstan; and in the Ural Mountains, Russia. The most valuable color is an intense, vibrant green, often called imperial or apple green jade. Fashion jewelry will often use a range of colors in a single jewelry piece. Currently “ice and water jade” known for its crystalline or watery translucency is a very popular variety. Guatemala and Burma are the primary sources for modern jadeite. The most important source of jadeite is the large deposit near Taw Maw, Myanmar (Burma).

Nephrite comes in an even greater array of colors. It is the lesser valuable variety and is more commonly used for carvings, and in some jewelry. Typically, nephrite is dark olive green in color with black or gray specks, having a range of translucency. Some nephrite rings have a creamy white color known as ‘mutton fat’ in Chinese, which was mostly used before the 1800s in China as well as New Zealand and the Atlantic Coasts and Pacific Coasts. Notable nephrite jade deposits can be found in Australia, Brazil, China (Sinkiang), Canada, Russia, Taiwan, Zimbabwe and the Western United States.

The value of jade takes into consideration many factors:

• Translucency: is probably the most important factor. The ability to transmit light is an example of how finely structured the atoms are. The texture or crystalline visibility represents the conditions in which it formed. No matter what color a piece of jadeite is, the ability to transmit light without visible crystal texture is ideal (be aware that “treaters” are aware of this and have the abilities to improve formerly opaque material to virtually translucent material). * See treatments below.
• Color: desirability, like fashion, goes in and out of favor. However, the apple green color often called imperial jade is the most prized. Somewhat recently in the US, the absence of color like the water or ice white jadeite has been picking up demand. Losing in popularity today is the lavender variety. Next, the evenness of color, how mottled or variegated the color or colors are is also important. Ideal in today’s market would be a saturated, even apple-green color.
• Form: another important factor is the carving or carver’s talent and age or origin of the piece. Too often an item of jade is scrutinized for its gem quality before determining the age or carving quality. In creating a bead or bangle there is major weight loss while carving from the rough stone, which increases the end cost of the object. Quetzal jade is a bright green stone from Guatemala that was treasured by the Mesoamerican cultures and still held in high value today because of the quality of the carvings.

Typically, having at least one or more of the best of all of these factors is good. But the best examples displaying all of these factors are the ideal, and that is when the million dollar marks are reached.

In today’s Jadeite market, with advances in science and technology, jadeite is being put through processes to “improve” its color and translucency. This is a difficult process to detect and only a few laboratories have the highly technical equipment to detect treatments. Fine quality jadeite sold today typically is accompanied by an independent laboratory report stating that there is no evidence of such treatments.

Jadeite treatments either add color and polymer or just polymer to improve its appearance. The classification system that is used to grade jade, is as follows (Source: Mason-Kay):

• ‘A’ JADE: Natural, untreated jadeite jade. Only beeswax is used to fill the stone’s microscopic surface pores – as has been done for centuries.
• ‘B’ JADE: Acid-bleached, polymer-impregnated jadeite jade
• ‘C’ JADE: (GIA – ‘B’+‘C’) Acid-bleached, polymer-impregnated, dyed jadeite jade – the dyed form of ‘B’ jade
• ‘D’ JADE: (GIA – ‘C’) Dyed jadeite jade. ‘D’ jade almost always pre-dates the polymer treatment era (no polymer present).

The March Gallery Auction on March 20th, beginning at 9:30 AM will offer a dynamic selection that spans Asian works of art, fine art, furniture, and decorative arts.

Fine Art

The Fine Art section offers an eclectic and compelling selection spanning multiple periods and styles. Among the standout highlights is a set of twelve works on board by California-born multimedia artist Lita Albuquerque (b. 1941). Composed of gold leaf and pigment, the panels are installed in two vertical columns that create a striking sense of movement and spatial rhythm. Albuquerque is widely recognized for her large-scale environmental installations in locations such as the South Dakota Badlands and Death Valley, often incorporating the same deep indigo pigment seen in this untitled wall sculpture. The work is estimated at $15,000–$20,000.

Also featured is an original 1909 Little Nemo in Slumberland comic panel by Winsor McCay (American, 1866–1934). McCay achieved prominence as a cartoonist for the New York Herald in the early twentieth century, where he created the beloved comic strips Little Sammy Sneeze and the iconic Little Nemo in Slumberland, chronicling the fantastical dreams of a young boy. This early panel includes Nemo alongside recurring characters Flip and Doctor Pill and is estimated at $5,000–$7,000.

Additional offerings include works by Margaret Keane, Allen Dean Cochran, Fletcher Benton, Dennis Hare, and other notable artists.

Asian Art

The Asian Art department will present notable Chinese works from a Carmel estate, led by an elegant 18th-century huanghuali kang table admired for its refined proportions and beautifully figured hardwood. A five-piece cloisonné enamel altar service from the Republic period will also be featured, showcasing vibrant enamels and traditional craftsmanship.

Additional highlights include two famille rose landscape porcelain plaques attributed to Republic-period artists Wang Yeting and Zhang Zhitang, as well as a finely carved huali rosewood ‘dragon’ floor screen exemplifying the sophistication and artistry of Chinese decorative traditions.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

The Furniture & Decorative Arts selections further enhance the breadth of the sale. Highlights include a Rob Tribble hand-blown glass vase and a collection of Stan Bitter for Hans Sumpf stoneware pottery, with estimates ranging from $400 to $3,000. Silver offerings include a Mexican sterling platter by Alfredo Ortega & Sons, a Mexican sterling bowl by Zunita (Platería Zunita), and an impressive pair of Gorham Martele silver lamps. Together, these works reflect a rich diversity of craftsmanship, design, and artistic expression across cultures and eras.

The Warehouse Auction: March 21st

The March auction series concludes on Saturday, March 21st with The Warehouse Auction, an eclectic and accessible sale offering decorative arts, furnishings, collectibles, and estate material. Known for its breadth and opportunity, this auction provides bidders with the chance to discover unique pieces and exceptional value across numerous collecting categories.

Property of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco to Benefit the Acquisition Fund of the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts will be offered at Clars Auctions on March 19th, 10 AM PDT. This exceptional offering includes more than 170 works on paper spanning the 1860s through the 1980s.

Clars Auctions is honored to have been selected by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco to present this distinguished group of works at auction. The relationship between Clars and the Museums is rooted in a shared commitment to connoisseurship, stewardship, and public trust. As one of the West Coast’s leading full-service auction houses, Clars brings decades of expertise in handling significant institutional property and in connecting important works of art with discerning collectors.

Being entrusted with property that benefits the Acquisition Fund of the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts underscores Clars’ reputation for scholarship, market leadership, and integrity. Proceeds from the March 19th auction will directly support future acquisitions, strengthening the Foundation’s ability to expand and preserve its renowned collection of works on paper for generations to come.

“This sale represents a meaningful collaboration between our institution and one of the country’s most respected museums,” said Rick Unruh, CEO and President of Clars Auctions.

“We are proud to play a role in furthering the Achenbach Foundation’s mission while offering collectors an extraordinary opportunity to own works that embody the rich artistic legacy of California.”

Providing a compelling glimpse into San Francisco’s cultural and civic history, the collection features rare 19th-century portraiture depicting prominent politicians, influential businessmen, and notable figures of the Old California era. Historically significant Northern California landscapes, seascapes, and early San Francisco street scenes will also be presented.

Collectors of modern and contemporary art will find works by important late 20th-century West Coast artists, including Ed Ruscha, Nathan Oliveira, William T. Wiley, Robert Bechtle, and Beth Van Hoesen.

The auction will take place live on Thursday, March 19th, with bidding available in person, by phone, absentee, and online.

Incredible prices are being achieved at auction—if you’ve ever considered selling, now is the time. Clars Auctions is currently seeking quality consignments for its upcoming monthly auctions.

On March 19th at 2 PM PDT, Clars Auctions presents Antique Diamonds: A Collector’s Auction, led by an exceptional Art Deco platinum ring set with a 4.92-carat F color, VS2 clarity cut-cornered square step-cut diamond.

The center stone is framed by 26 single-cut diamonds and delicate etched scrollwork, with an estimated total diamond weight of 5.20 carats and a gross weight of 4.85 grams — an elegant example of refined craftsmanship and design.

The sale also includes select Property from San Francisco Opera and a curated selection of antique and vintage jewelry. Highlights span the Georgian, Victorian, Art Deco, and Retro periods, featuring diamond solitaires, colored gemstone jewels, and finely crafted gold pieces that reflect the distinctive character of their eras.

Among the standout pieces is a dramatic Facadoro diamond and 18k gold opera-length necklace, notable for its scale and sophistication. From important antique diamonds to distinctive twentieth-century designs, this March auction offers collectors and new buyers alike the opportunity to acquire rare jewelry defined by quality, presence, and enduring appeal.

The Asian Works of Art Auction, featuring a curated selection of Chinese and Japanese works, will take place at Clars Auctions on February 19th, 2PM PST.

Highlights include an elegant 18th-century Japanese Kakiemon lidded potpourri vase estimated at $4,000–$6,000, and a Chinese Ming dynasty bronze seated figure of Guanyin estimated at $2,000–$4,000.

The auction also presents an important private San Francisco collection of Chinese ceramics and bronze sculptures spanning the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Notable works include Ming dynasty Buddhist bronze figures of Guanyin and Akshobhya Buddha, a Wanli mark and period blue-and white ‘dragon’ box, a late Ming dynasty Dehua figure of Wenchang, and a rare Chinese ceremonial jade axe blade dating to the Western Zhou dynasty.