This May at Clars we are excited to feature a selection of modern and contemporary artwork that will undoubtably appeal to each and every collector. For fans of the Bay Area Figurative Movement, we are highlighting two works on paper by celebrated multimedia artist Joan Brown (American, 1938–1990).

Brown was born in San Francisco and continued to work in the area for her entire life, creating paintings, sculptures, and works on paper that celebrated the Bay Area as much as her own inner life. During her prolific career, Brown evolved stylistically from abstract expressionism to folk art inspired figurative painting and became involved in the highly influential Bay Area Figurative Movement. Brown was married for a period to a fellow member of the movement, Manuel Neri, who introduced her to the model Mary Julia Klimenko, Brown’s muse for the series that includes the two pieces at Clars this month. These two acrylic and charcoal compositions are titled Mary Julia #32, estimated at $8,000–$12,000, and Mary Julia #33, estimated at $8,000–$12,000, and each depicts the subject in two strikingly different settings.

Mary Julia #32 is shown alone in an austere space, likely a chapel, with two narrow stained-glass windows behind her. Her dark hair is topped with a veil that recalls medieval tastes, and her white gown indicates that it is the day of her wedding. She stares wide-eyed at the viewer, holding a champagne glass. Mary Julia #33 is dressed in a green military uniform with her arms behind her back. Next to her is a headless white sculpture, perhaps depicting herself, and a picture of two blackened figures sitting on an easel. Each work is done in Brown’s instantly recognizable faux-naif style, with her signature splashes of color. The two pair themselves with the use of lavender on the wall and windows.

An outstanding piece in the May auction is an oil on canvas painting by Iraqi artist Dia Al-Azzawi (b. 1939). Al-Azzawi studied art in Baghdad, taking inspiration from ancient Middle Eastern mythology as well as Islam and Arabic culture, and worked in the city throughout the mid-20th century.

Al-Azzawi eventually moved out of Iraq in the 1970s and began working abroad, using painting as an outlet for feelings of despair he felt seeing the destruction of his homeland during the wars that plagued the country during the later 20th century. Now living between London and Dubai, Al-Azzawi maintains his status as one of the foremost globally successful Arab artists, and an influential icon in his home country.

The painting in our May Modern + Contemporary Fine Art Auction is titled Sleeping Bird, estimated at $15,000–$20,000. In its abstraction, the hovering head of a beaked bird appears above an assortment of interpretive shapes below, faithful to distinctive Cubist style and vibrant color palette.

Clars is pleased to present a thoughtfully curated Furniture, Art, Jewelry & Asian Art Auction on May 16th beginning at 9:30 AM PDT. The auction will feature an exceptional selection of pieces that span cultures, eras, and collecting categories.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

Leading the sale is an eclectic mix of furniture and decorative objects, offering both historical depth and modern appeal. Highlights include a striking pair of Neoclassical gilt bronze-mounted Chinese porcelain covered urns, estimated at $1,800–$2,500, an elegant fusion of Eastern porcelain and European Neoclassical design.

Another standout is a rare bas relief carved wood plaque by Filipino sculptor Graciano T. Nepomuceno (1881–1974), estimated at $400–$600, a significant piece reflecting early 20th-century Philippine artistry. Fashion-forward collectors will also find a collection of luxury handbags and shoes from top-tier designers such as Gucci, Burberry, Prada, Alexander McQueen, and Saint Laurent, with estimates ranging from $300 to $1,000.

Additionally, a visually striking feather mosaic dance ornament from the Aymara people, estimated at $500–$700, will be featured, bringing bold color, cultural heritage, and ceremonial symbolism to the auction. Rounding out this section is a selection of antique furniture, decorative arts, and modern design, including pieces such as an Arthur Espenet Carpenter double music stand and a variety of European and Asian sterling silver, porcelain, and glass.

Fine Jewelry & Watches

Clars is also pleased to present a refined selection of fine jewelry and watches, showcasing a unique array of pieces from everyday wearables to bold statement works. Highlights include an exceptional diamond, tsavorite garnet, and 18k white gold necklace, estimated at $7,000–$10,000, paired with diamond and tsavorite garnet earrings, estimated at $1,000–$2,000, and a matching diamond, tsavorite garnet, and 18k white gold brooch, estimated at $800–$1,200.

The auction will also feature exquisitely crafted gold jewelry, never-before-seen artistic works, and simple yet gorgeous pieces to elevate any collection. This sale promises to be a truly unmissable event for collectors of fine jewelry and luxury watches. Whether you’re looking to enhance your personal collection or find a unique gift, this auction offers a breathtaking array of rare and elegant pieces.

Asian Art

Clars’ Asian Art Department is proud to offer a rich and varied collection that celebrates the artistry and cultural legacy of East and Southeast Asia. Highlights include a Chinese huanghuali altar table, estimated at $20,000–$30,000, exemplifying masterful hardwood joinery and prized for its deep, lustrous tone.

Also featured is an elegant 18th/19th century robin’s-egg glazed vase, estimated at $2,000–$4,000, noted for its soft, speckled glaze typical of Qing porcelain. Collectors of historical Chinese craftsmanship will appreciate the finely carved Ming dynasty tixi-lacquer tray, estimated at $2,000–$4,000, decorated with intricate scrollwork and auspicious ruyi motifs.

Completing this section is a rare woodblock print album of Yuzhi Gengzhi Tu, estimated at $3,000–$5,000, which contains detailed scenes of traditional agriculture and sericulture, combining scholarly tradition with pictorial finesse.

The Warehouse Auction: May 17th

On Saturday, May 17th, 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, collectible toys, books, and indigenous arts.

This May 15th, Clars is excited to offer an outstanding oil on canvas painting by Latvian American artist Raimonds Staprans (b. 1926) in our Modern + Contemporary Fine Art Auction.

Upon moving to the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1950s, Staprans was quickly adopted by the art community in his chosen home and remains one of the foremost representatives of post-war California painting nationwide. Staprans is known for his large swaths of bright color, often playing with natural light and the perception of shape and texture, and his understated treatment of subject.

Current trends in the market show that the highly saturated paintings that Staprans perfected in the late 1980s and 1990s are increasingly popular with collectors. Clars has been successful with several of these pieces in the last five years, including a 1987 oil on canvas titled, Still Life with Red Piano Stool, which sold well over its estimate at $147,600 in 2020, and Blue Boats, a 1990 painting that sold for $187,500 in 2022. Still life depictions of food are among the most recognizable of Staprans’ motifs. Staprans’ highest record price was realized in 2023 for a 1995 still life depicting oranges, done in a vibrantly warm palette that is strikingly similar to the piece up for auction at Clars this May.

The scene takes place in a space unmarked by identifying objects, furnished with a stool-like drop-leaf table. The table’s edges and sides are traced with prismatic colors in a manner that leaves the viewer questioning if the color is painted on the posts and boards, or if the unseen sun is playing tricks on our eyes. The top of the table appears to be doused with direct sunlight, bright white and glowing against the orange background. To the viewer’s right, the sides of the table’s legs are cast in a sunset glow the same tangerine shade as the background. Sitting atop the table is a peeled apple, its sides angled and smoothed with a paring knife. The fruit casts a half-moon shadow that points toward the open leaf of the table and is echoed on each stretcher below.

This work, titled The Mid Summer Drop-Leaf Table (estimated at $60,000–$90,000), showcases Staprans’ skill in using color to portray light, perspective, and a specific atmosphere. The tones chosen in this composition evoke the warmth of the summer months, and the slant of the dazzling sunshine on the table and fruit leave us wondering if this is the end of a late-evening garden party, where a table full of fresh fruit has dwindled to a lone apple and the leaves are dropped one by one. This outstanding example of Staprans’ later work is a celebration of color and light, an ode to atmosphere, and will be a significant addition to any collection.

This April we are honored to present the extraordinary art collection of Lila Mae “Peggy” Azad — a woman whose lifelong devotion to the arts lives on through her legacy.

Peggy once wrote: “I am the temporary custodian. In exchange for the privilege of living with and caring for my objects I am leaving them all for a museum or art gallery for the ‘public’ to enjoy after Manouch and I are no longer alive.” Her wish was to ensure that her collection would one day be shared with the world.

This significant collection includes over 90 Chinese and Japanese ivory sculptures and more than 114 diverse works from around the globe — spanning American, Chinese, French, Iranian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Native American, Russian, Thai, and Vietnamese origins. The pieces vary in form and material, including porcelain, cloisonné, glass vases, plates, bowls, bronze and carved alabaster sculptures, a Russian brass samovar, Japanese woodblock prints, and hand-woven Iranian silk tapestry panels threaded with gold and silver.

Notably, the collection features works by renowned Iranian artists Parviz Tanavoli and Sia Armajani, reflecting Peggy’s deep connection to both international and Iranian art and culture.

Born on May 5, 1933, in her family’s home in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Jesse Joseph Schneider and Laura Harriette Ronning Schneider, Peggy — known to many simply as Peggy Azad — lived a life filled with purpose, passion, and artistic appreciation.

On April 18th, Clars Auctions will present a series of exquisite collectibles at its Spring Fine Asian Art Auction for collectors. This auction will feature a multitude of valuable artworks, spanning categories such as furniture, porcelain, embroidery, modern contemporary art, and miscellaneous high-quality items.

The furniture section is led by a pair of 18th-century Chinese Huanghuali Southern official hat chairs. The official hat chairs originated in the Song Dynasty and became popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Due to their outstanding appearance and positive symbolism, they have long been favored by officials and scholars and are also loved by people worldwide. The name “official hat chair” comes from its design, where the back is high and the front low, resembling the ancient official’s hat. In fact, chairs with armrests generally have this shape. Today, artisans in Beijing often refer to chairs with both the backrest and armrests protruding as “Four-headed official hat chairs,” while those with non-protruding are called “Southern official hat chairs.” Clars presents a pair of official hat chairs with the distinctive style of the Jiangnan region. The piece features a rare three-section backrest design, with clean, flowing armrest lines, and no use of stretchers, showcasing the classic charm of craftsmanship.

The porcelain section prominently features a Chinese yellow-ground famille rose foliate jardiniere and stand. Both the jardiniere and stand are elegantly shaped like a chrysanthemum, with the jardiniere having relatively deep walls featuring two round holes; the stand has low, shallow side walls and is without holes. Both pieces are supported by four ruyi-cloud-shaped feet. The exteriors are meticulously painted with lotus patterns and the eight Buddhist symbols’ motif. The base is marked with the iron-red Jiaqing six-character mark.

This season, we will also introduce a series of selected embroidery pieces, with the highlight being an 18th-century Qing dynasty imperial yellow satin brocade robe, chuba with gold dragon patterns among colorful clouds. From the end of the Tang dynasty, China’s relationship with Tibet evolved with continuous political and religious exchanges during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, sending precious court-manufactured silk fabrics to Tibet. Initially reserved for the imperial court, these fabrics later became significant gifts for Tibetan nobility and high-ranking monks. In the 18th century, the Qing court custom-made luxurious silk garments for Buddhist ceremonies, granting many dragon robes, which gradually became traditional attire for Tibetan nobility.

This Chuba-style robe was custom-made in Tibet from 18th-century Chinese yellow ground brocade, adorned with a five-clawed golden dragon clutching a fiery pearl amidst colorful clouds in pink, blue, green, and ochre, with a terrestrial map motif at the hem. The collar and trim are in pale blue silk depicting original wave-like edges, measuring 55 inches in height and 70 inches in width. This robe not only showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of the Qing court but also serves as an important physical testament to the historical exchanges between China and Tibet.

The contemporary Asian section will feature two important works by Chuang Che (Zhuang Ze), a Chinese-American abstract artist. The first work, Seasons Page, was created in 1971 using mixed media on canvas and measures 33 inches in height and 49.5 inches in width, with Zhuang’s signature in Chinese at the lower left corner. This piece was exhibited at the DuBose Gallery in Houston, Texas, in 1972, and comes with Zhuang’s handwritten signature and an exhibition catalog, making it highly collectible. The second piece, Untitled Abstract Landscape, an oil painting on canvas, features the artist’s signature in Chinese at the lower right corner, framed dimensions are 39.25 inches in height and 49.5 inches in width. This painting was acquired from a San Francisco gallery in the early 1980s and originates from a private collection. Chuang’s art style blends Eastern and Western aesthetics, interpreting Chinese cultural themes through Abstract Expressionism and is highly regarded in the international art scene.

Additionally, a Chinese polychrome painted wood figure of Guanyin from the Ming dynasty also make its appearance at this auction. The statue stands approximately 1.1 meters tall and is depicted in a relaxed and casual pose seated on a rock, with the right leg bent and resting against the right arm, and the left leg stretched out, stepping on a base. The sculpture is vivid and lifelike, with Guanyin wearing an exquisite, jeweled crown, displaying a serene and compassionate demeanor, and a richly detailed, delicate face. The neck and chest are adorned with a beautifully carved necklace and lavalier decorations, with elegantly flowing robe patterns, and faintly visible colors, fully reflecting the leisurely and comfortable artistic style of Water Moon Guanyin that has been prevalent since the Song and Yuan dynasties, possessing significant historical and artistic value.

We look forward to meeting you at the Spring Fine Asian Art Auction at Clars Auctions on April 18th!

Clars is excited to announce our upcoming Furniture, Art, Spring Jewelry & Fine Asian Auction on April 18th, with a special Warehouse Sale on April 19. This two-day event will showcase a stunning selection of rare and valuable items, with a special emphasis on Fine Asian Art.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

The Furniture & Decorative Arts portion of the April 18th auction will feature an impressive selection pieces. Highlights include an Alvar Aalto bentwood tea trolley, estimated at $2,500–$3,500, a pair of Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Swan chairs, estimated at $1,200–$1,800, and an American oak and brass fire alarm gong, estimated at $2,500–$3,500.

Other standout pieces include a collection of Santa Clara blackware and Ursula Morley Price stoneware bowls, showcasing a blend of modern design and traditional craftsmanship from various cultures. These selections will appeal to collectors of both contemporary and classic design, making the auction an exciting opportunity for furniture and decorative art aficionados.

Fine Jewelry & Watches

Clars is also thrilled to present its special Spring Fine Jewelry & Watches Auction on Friday, April 18th. As the largest quarterly sale for jewelry, this auction will feature an exquisite collection of high-end pieces, showcasing a diverse range of fine jewelry crafted from the world’s most sought-after gemstones and precious metals. Highlights include an antique diamond and silver-topped 14k gold brooch featuring extraordinary rose-cut diamonds, estimated at $10,000–$20,000, a Colombian emerald, seed pearl, diamond, and 18k gold necklace, estimated at $3,000–$5,000, and a striking color-changing alexandrite ring, estimated at $3,000–$6,000. The sale will also feature fine jade pieces, perfect for collectors with an appreciation for this timeless gemstone.

Additionally, a selection of rare, limited-edition Rolex watches will be showcased, adding to the prestige of this highly anticipated event. Whether you seek a standout addition to your collection or a one-of-a-kind gift, this sale offers something for every jewelry and timepiece enthusiast.

Asian Art

The April 18th auction will feature a carefully curated collection of exceptional Fine Asian Art, making this segment the standout highlight of the event. Collectors will have the rare opportunity to acquire some of the finest works in Chinese and Asian art. Highlights include an 18th-century pair of Chinese Huanghuali Southern official hat chairs, estimated at $20,000–$40,000, exemplifying the refined craftsmanship of one of China’s most prized hardwoods.

Also featured is an imperial 18th-century Qing dynasty yellow satin brocade robe, estimated at $30,000–$50,000. This custom-made garment was woven in gold and multi-colored threads for Tibetan nobility and is adorned with five-clawed dragons and cloud clusters, making it an extraordinary piece of Chinese textile art.

Additionally, a Ming dynasty polychrome wood figure of Guanyin will be offered, reflecting the serene beauty of traditional Chinese artistry. For collectors of contemporary Asian art, works by renowned Chinese-American artist Chuang Che, including his abstract oil on canvas Untitled Abstract Landscape, estimated at $10,000–$15,000, will be available. These exceptional pieces, showcasing the depth and beauty of Asian art, will be a focal point for serious collectors.

The Warehouse Auction: April 19th

The Warehouse auction on April 19th will offer an eclectic range of items at accessible price points. This sale will include a variety of art, prints, photographs, modern and antique furniture, silver, porcelain, glass, fashion, and decorative objects. Notable items in the Asian Art section will include Japanese woodblock prints, ceramics, and folding screens—perfect for collectors seeking to add unique pieces to their collections. The jewelry segment will feature a selection of affordable diamond and silver necklaces, while modern and antique furniture will be available at more accessible price points. Additional items include collectible toys, books, indigenous arts, and more, making this a diverse and exciting opportunity for buyers.

The contemporary Asian section of our April 18th auction will feature two important works by Chuang Che (Zhuang Ze), a Chinese-American abstract artist.

One of the works, Seasons Page, was created in 1971 using mixed media on canvas and measures 33 inches in height and 49.5 inches in width, with Zhuang’s signature in Chinese at the lower left corner. This piece was exhibited at the DuBose Gallery in Houston, Texas, in 1972, and comes with Zhuang’s handwritten signature and an exhibition catalog, making it highly collectible.

Chuang’s art style blends Eastern and Western aesthetics, interpreting Chinese cultural themes through Abstract Expressionism and is highly regarded in the international art scene.

Clars is thrilled to present our upcoming special Spring Fine Jewelry & Watches Auction on Friday, April 18th. This auction, being the department’s largest quarterly sale, features a remarkable collection of high-end jewelry, showcasing a diverse range of stunning pieces that capture the artistry and sophistication of the world’s most sought-after gemstones and precious metals.

Clars’ spring sale is sure to present an impressive assortment of jewelry and watches to cater to every collector’s preference. The auction will showcase a stunning assortment of rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, each crafted to dazzle with its radiant elegance and charm. Highlights include an antique diamond and silver-topped 14k gold brooch, featuring extraordinary rose-cut diamonds, estimated at $10,000–$20,000, a Columbian emerald, seed pearl, diamond and 18k gold necklace, estimated at $3,000–$5,000, and an exceptional color-changing alexandrite ring, estimated at $3,000–$6,000. We will also be showcasing a variety of fine jade pieces and an array of fine, rare, and limited-edition Rolexes.

Whether you seek the timeless elegance of a diamond, or the striking appeal of a gemstone, there is something for every jewelry enthusiast in this sale. This auction is a must-attend for both fine jewelry and timepiece collectors. In search of a standout addition to your collection or a one-of-a-kind gift? This sale offers a stunning selection of exquisite and timeless treasures. Be sure to save the date and join us for an unforgettable event filled with elegance, style, and unmatched beauty.

Consignments are now invited for our upcoming Modern + Contemporary Fine Art Auction on Thursday, May 15th.

Schedule an appointment today with one of our Fine Art Specialists. The deadline to consign is Friday, April 25th. To schedule your appointment, call (510) 428-0100 x 130 OR email [email protected].