Clars Auctions’ Senior Vice President, Deric Torres, was honored to participate in a truly special celebration hosted by The Menlo Park Historical Association and The Museum of American Heritage — the 125th Wedding Anniversary of Helen Hopkins & Augustus Taylor on Saturday September 13th.
Held in the historic mansion where their grand 1900 society wedding originally took place. Helen Hopkins — grandniece of railroad magnate Mark Hopkins — was part of a legacy that helped shape California’s Gilded Age.
Deric providing valuation expertise to guests on their items.
Deric providing valuation expertise to guests on their items.
Deric providing valuation expertise to guests on their items.
Guests enjoyed Antiques Roadshow-style valuation sessions with Deric Torres, who brought his decades of expertise in furniture and decorative arts to this elegant and educational afternoon. History, heritage, and heirlooms — all under one roof.
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
Mid-Century Modern Celebration Day
Event
Modern
The Menlo Park Historical Association in collaboration with The Museum of American Heritage brings you…
Deric Torres discussing Mid-Century Modern furniture.
Mid-Century Modern Celebration Day May 11th | 11AM–5PM PDT
Featuring exhibits of mid-century cars, toasters, typewriters, telephones and more.
With discussions on Eichler homes by realtor Monique Anton, and George Nakashima Furniture by Deric Torres, SVP of Clars Auctions.
Clars Auctions’ Senior Vice President, Deric Torres, was honored to participate in a celebration hosted by The Menlo Park Historical Association and The Museum of American Heritage.
Yao Jiang, Fine Jewelry & Timepieces Specialist at Clars, spoke to Rob Stewart, PBS TV Host & Executive Producer, on one the department's recently sold natural pearl necklaces for 2023’s Antique Valuation Day.
The market for signed and antique jewelry, as well as precious colored gemstones and timepieces, is very strong. Schedule your private and confidential appointment now to speak to one of our Specialists to determine your jewelry’s auction potential.
Clars Auctions’ Senior Vice President, Deric Torres, was honored to participate in a celebration hosted by The Menlo Park Historical Association and The Museum of American Heritage.
The Summer Fine Jewelry & Timepieces Auction will include a fine selection of colored diamonds, diamonds, colored gemstones, antique and signed jewelry, and timepieces.
Auction
Fine Jewelry & Timepieces
PBS KVIE + Clars Asian Art
Asian Art
Event
Harry Huang, Associate Director of Asian Art at Clars, spoke to Rob Stewart, PBS TV Host & Executive Producer, on the beauty and intricacies of a Mughal style jade vase for 2023’s Antique Valuation Day.
Harry and Rob beside a Mughal style jade vase with linked cover.
The very well-hollowed vessel is finely carved in low relief with bamboo, plum blossom, and chrysanthemum, along with a pair of magpies. The shoulders display a pair of openwork peony handles and the cover is decorated with a floral form finial.
Harry lifting the vase cover.
This vase is carved out of a single piece of nephrite jade stone — executed in the Mughal style — with a thin body and cover linked by finely carved chains. The plants and the pair of magpies signify the arrival of spring, which grants well wishes for the New Year.
Clars Auctions’ Senior Vice President, Deric Torres, was honored to participate in a celebration hosted by The Menlo Park Historical Association and The Museum of American Heritage.
Cristina Campion, Associate Director of 20th Century Design and Furniture & Decorative Arts at Clars, spoke to Rob Stewart, PBS TV Host & Executive Producer, on the importance of analyzing and authenticating furniture for 2023’s Antique Valuation Day.
Cristina and Rob discussing the work of master woodworker, Arthur Espenet Carpenter.
American Studio Furniture is commanding strong prices realized at auction, particularly for the masters, including Arthur Espenet Carpenter, George Nakashima, and Wharton Esherick, among others.
Cristina explaining to Rob the unique functionality and form of Espenet’s Wishbone armchair.
It’s always important to analyze the underside of a chair to see if there are any signatures or stamps. However, one cannot rely on a signature or stamp alone. It is equally significant to look at the form itself and the construction of the piece holistically to ensure that the form is consistent with other examples by the designer. Also crucial to the value of a piece is the provenance or history, if it’s been exhibited in any museum collections, or is referenced in literature.
Clars Auctions’ Senior Vice President, Deric Torres, was honored to participate in a celebration hosted by The Menlo Park Historical Association and The Museum of American Heritage.
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.
On March 21st, Clars will be offering iconic pieces from glass artists, including Dale Chihuly, Dan Dailey, and more.
Design
Estate Spotlight
PBS KVIE + Clars Jewelry
Event
Fine Jewelry
Yao Jiang, Fine Jewelry & Timepieces Specialist at Clars, spoke to Rob Stewart, PBS TV Host & Executive Producer, on one the department’s recently sold natural pearl necklaces for 2023’s Antique Valuation Day.
Rob and Yao holding a natural pearl, diamond and platinum necklace.
In our last Spring Fine Jewelry and Timepieces Auction, we were honored to represent a natural pearl necklace from an important estate in San Francisco. It’s a strand of fifty-five graduated natural pearl beads, certified by Gemological Institute of America, which fetched $31,046 at auction.
Yao pointing out necklace details to Rob.
Today, natural pearls are among the rarest of gems and their almost entirely depleted supply makes natural pearls one of nature’s greatest miracles.
Behind the scenes: Rob and Yao chatting on camera.
Clars Auctions’ Senior Vice President, Deric Torres, was honored to participate in a celebration hosted by The Menlo Park Historical Association and The Museum of American Heritage.
The history of jewelry spans as far back as humanity itself, with evidence of ancient beads made from shells, bones, and teeth dating back 80,000–110,000 years.
Harry Huang spoke to Rob Stewart on the beauty of a Mughal style jade vase for 2023’s Antique Valuation Day.
Asian Art
Event
PBS KVIE + Clars
Event
Stories & News
Specialists from Clars Auction Gallery recently stopped by the PBS KVIE studio to film interviews with Rob Stewart for this year’s Antique Valuation Day which is set for October 28!
Clars specialists on the set of PBS KVIE.
Be on the lookout for how to get tickets starting in June.
Clars Auctions’ Senior Vice President, Deric Torres, was honored to participate in a celebration hosted by The Menlo Park Historical Association and The Museum of American Heritage.
The contemporary Asian section of our April 18th auction will feature important work by Chuang Che, a Chinese-American abstract artist.
Asian Art
Stories & News
Annual Tea | The Junior League of San Francisco
Event
Stories & News
The Junior League of San Francisco, Inc. (JLSF) is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.
Valuation Day setup – Annual Tea, The Junior League of San Francisco.
The Junior League of SF held its Annual Tea, a cherished annual tradition, which took place on Sunday, March 5th at the Top of the Mark at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel.
Valuation session with Fine Jewelry & Timepieces Associate Specialist, Yao Jiang.
This event recognized and celebrated past Junior League Presidents as well as Sustainer Emeritus members with a fun Breakfast at Tiffany’s theme!
Members lined up to meet with Yao and Campbell.
Clars Auction Gallery was invited to showcase and discuss pieces from the 1960’s relating to the Breakfast at Tiffany’s theme. The Fine Jewelry & Timepieces department team, Yao and Campbell, delighted the group with a little history from cultured pearls to retro jewelry. Clars is honored to have been a part of this event and is proud to support The Junior League of SF.
Clars Auctions’ Senior Vice President, Deric Torres, was honored to participate in a celebration hosted by The Menlo Park Historical Association and The Museum of American Heritage.
The contemporary Asian section of our April 18th auction will feature important work by Chuang Che, a Chinese-American abstract artist.
Asian Art
Stories & News
Cocktails, Conversation & Valuations | City Club of San Francisco
Event
Stories & News
The City Club of San Francisco is a landmark social and business club designed by the San Francisco architectural firm, Miller & Pflueger, under the direction of Timothy Pflueger (1892–1946).
The 11-story building housed the offices of brokers who worked on the trading floor of the adjacent San Francisco Stock Exchange. Pflueger was one of the first California architects to incorporate Classic European Modernism into his work. He commissioned a number of renowned artists and craftsmen to work on the Stock Exchange Tower, which is considered the finest example of interior art deco style in the city.
Cocktails, Conversation and Valuations at The City Club of San Francisco.
More than a business and social club, The City Club is a community of diverse and talented people who value leadership and believe in San Francisco character, spirit, and traditions. The City Club inspires business connection and friendships, community service, an appreciation of the arts, and the sharing of cultural and culinary experiences.
Clars Auction Gallery partnered with The City Club members for an evening of Cocktails, Conversation and Valuations on February 22, 2023. Members of The City Club brought art and collectibles and chatted with Clars’ specialists. This evening gave members an opportunity to ask questions which helped them learn a bit of history on their items and their value in the current collecting market. In addition to the hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and extraordinary views of San Francisco, the event was a night to remember.
Clars Auctions’ Senior Vice President, Deric Torres, was honored to participate in a celebration hosted by The Menlo Park Historical Association and The Museum of American Heritage.
The contemporary Asian section of our April 18th auction will feature important work by Chuang Che, a Chinese-American abstract artist.
Asian Art
Stories & News
Fine Jewelry & Timepieces Valuation Day | February 17th
Event
Stories & News
Clars is now seeking consignments for our upcoming Spring Fine Jewelry & Timepieces Auction. Schedule a private appointment with one of our Jewelry specialists and learn what your property is worth.
A diamond and white gold brooch and a pair of diamond ear clips, Van Cleef & Arpels. Sold: $71,875
Fine Jewelry & Timepieces Valuation Day Friday, February 17th | 10AM–2PM
The market for signed and antique jewelry, as well as precious colored gemstones and timepieces is very strong. Schedule your private and confidential appointment now to speak to one of our Specialists to determine your jewelry’s auction potential.
Clars Auctions’ Senior Vice President, Deric Torres, was honored to participate in a celebration hosted by The Menlo Park Historical Association and The Museum of American Heritage.
