Originally based in Tiburon, CA, they sold investment grade European Decorative Art and select Furniture from coast to coast. Their largest public sale is a rare 18th century porcelain mounted salon table that sold for a staggering $2.4M in 1998. Mr. Schwartz helped numerous clients build very well curated collections that are still highly regarded.
A monumental and rare Louis XVI style gilt bronze and mirrored three-piece mirrored plateau. Estimate: $18,000–$25,000
Clars Auctions is please to present a selection from their exclusive collection, featuring formal French furniture, 19th-century bronze sculptures, ormolu-mounted marble clocks, and KPM porcelain plaques in our January 18th auction. Each piece is a testament to the discerning taste of the Schwartz family, showcasing their distinctive blend of European sophistication.
A fine French champlevé enamel and gilt bronze clock garniture, retailed by Schneider, Campbell & Co, Union Square, New York. Estimate: $5,000–$7,000
A Louis XV Vernis Martin style gilt bronze mounted kingwood cabinet, late 19th century. Estimate: $3,000–$5,000
A large pair of Egyptian Revival patinated bronze two-handled urns, 19th century. Estimate: $2,500–$3,500
Left: A fine pair of Louis XVI style gilt bronze mounted marble urns by Susse Frères Foundry. Estimate: $2,500–$3,500 Right: An impressive Sèvres style luster and gilt decorated gilt bronze mounted porcelain covered urn, late 19th/early 20th century. Estimate: $1,800–$2,500
Our February 20th Auction will present an exceptional selection from the Emmy & Dolph Andrews Estate
Estate Spotlight
Stories & News
From the Estate of Vanna & N. Lee Lacy Palm Springs, CA
Estate Spotlight
Stories & News
Clars is delighted to be offering the Collection of Vanna and N. Lee Lacy on Friday, July 14th in our Tribal Arts, Interiors, Art & Jewelry Auction.
In the 1960s, the wunderkind Hollywood producer, N. Lee Lacy, fell in love with the African, Oceanic, Pre-Columbian, and other Tribal Arts that he was seeing in galleries and auction houses in Paris, Brussels, and London (he had a home in London as a base). His uncommon creativity, writing for and producing TV series and iconic TV ads (winning Best Of The Film Festival awards in Cannes, Venice, London, and NYC), led to him have international offices with 40 writers working for his production company, which he headquartered in Hollywood.
A Bakota reliquary, Gabon, raised on stand, 22.5″h (overall); 20.5″h (figure). Sold: $8,820
An Olmec figure of a baby, 9″h. Sold: $6,930
Lacy always collected tribal art, with Hollywood presenting buying opportunities in Pre-Columbian works in the 1960s and African works in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In the 1960s and 1970s, Lacy also bought from auctions in London, NY, and Paris and at galleries in those cities and Brussels, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Chinese Han Dynasty Cast Bronze Covered Ding Vessel. Sold: $1,890
Lee married Vanna Warmack Lacy 35 years ago. Together they fell in love with Oceanic Art, spurred by several voyages to the South Seas accompanying their friend, Caroline Yacoe. Yacoe is an Oceanic scholar, lecturer, author, art collector/dealer, and documentary filmmaker specializing in recording traditional ceremonies and cultures on remote Pacific Islands. This was also a prime period for acquiring authentic, old Indonesian pieces being brought to California by prescient dealers.
An exceptionally dynamic figural door, Toradja, Indonesia Sulawesi Island. Sold: $20,160
Lastly, while producing and creating films in Hollywood and investing in property and living in Beverly Hills, the Lacy’s opened a gallery on the famed Melrose Place (which became the name of a hugely popular TV series) showing paintings and sculptures of modern and contemporary artists. Vanna was the Lacy Gallery’s Director. After a successful run of more than a decade, the Lacy’s retired their gallery. The paintings and sculptures they had most loved personally, plus their mostly decades-old tribal collections, resided with them in their Beverly Hills and then their Palm Springs home until June when it was time to move themselves and their art collections along.
When a jade bangle bracelet or necklace fetches millions of dollars at auction, collectors worldwide wonder if their jade is also valuable. What is jade and where does it come from?
Fine Jewelry
Stories & News
From the Estate of Rita Moreno
Estate Spotlight
Modern + Contemporary
Clars will be offering select items from the personal collection of EGOT winning actress, the legendary Rita Moreno, at our Summer Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction.
Rita Moreno, Robe and dress, 1990s, West End London Production of Sunset Blvd. Sold: $4,095
Rita Moreno, purple and green mini dress with fringed shoulders, label for Elizabeth Courtney Costumes, Hollywood. Sold: $2,268
Rita’s remarkable career ranges from music, film, and dance. Maybe best known for her Academy-Award winning performance as Anita in the 1962 motion picture, West Side Story, she also worked in both television and the stage later in her career. Items to be offered on June 15th include fine art, stage worn dresses by designers including Bob Mackie, scripts, and awards.
Rita Moreno, mini dress with pink and purple fringe, likely worn at the 1988 Ice Capades T.V. Special. Sold: $756
Annie Leibovitz began her artistic career at the San Francisco Art Institute in the late 1960s, where she originally studied painting but was inspired to change her focus to photography.
