1001 Vallejo Street, an iconic “Gold Coast” home at the top of Russian Hill, was designed by Houghton Sawyer following the 1906 earthquake for Robert Hanson.

Later owners include Gabrielle Guittard Cavalsky, tied to the Guittard chocolate legacy, Paul Verdier of the City of Paris department store, and Nobel laureate Myron Scholes. Long known as “The House of the Grand Passion,” the home’s interiors were styled by its current owners to reflect that dramatic history through an avant-garde collection and design — select pieces from which will be offered in the upcoming September Gallery Auction at Clars.

Among the Furniture & Decorative Arts highlights at Clars Auctions’ July 17th Gallery Auction are three extraordinary lots that tell a fascinating story of California’s early political, financial, and cultural history.

Together, they trace the intersecting legacies of Governor Milton Slocum Latham and railroad magnate Mark Hopkins — two figures whose lives helped shape the Golden State during the nineteenth century.

At the center of this narrative is a rare set of Herter Brothers armchairs, commissioned circa 1872 for the billiard room of Governor Milton Slocum Latham’s Menlo Park estate, Thurlow Lodge. Celebrated as America’s premier cabinetmakers during the Gilded Age, Herter Brothers furnished many of the country’s most prestigious residences, and these chairs stand as exceptional examples of their craftsmanship. Following Latham’s financial collapse and death in 1882, Thurlow Lodge and its contents were purchased by Mary K. Hopkins, widow of railroad executive Mark Hopkins, weaving the furnishings of one prominent California family into the legacy of another. The armchairs remained within the Hopkins family until they were sold as part of the estate in 1942.

Further strengthening this remarkable connection is an 1878 carved marble bust of Mark Hopkins by Italian sculptor Pietro Mezzara. Executed during the same year as Hopkins’ death, the portrait captures one of the famed “Big Four” railroad pioneers whose vision transformed transportation and commerce throughout the American West. Offered alongside the Herter Brothers armchairs, the bust provides collectors with an exceptional opportunity to acquire objects connected through one of California’s most distinguished historical estates.

Completing the grouping is a beautiful Baccarat opaline glass vase dated 1867, produced during the same year the renowned French glassmaker exhibited at the Paris Exposition Universelle. Unlike the furnishings from Thurlow Lodge, the vase descends directly through the family of Governor Latham, offering an unbroken lineage to one of California’s earliest political leaders.

Together, these exceptional works represent far more than fine examples of decorative arts. They embody the intertwined histories of two influential California families, preserving a tangible connection to the personalities, homes, and ambitions that shaped the state’s Gilded Age. Opportunities to acquire objects with such well-documented provenance and historical continuity are increasingly rare, making this grouping a standout feature of Clars’ July 17th Gallery Auction

Continuing the offering from the celebrated Emmy and Dolph Andrews Estate this past February, Clars is pleased to present in the July 17th Gallery Auction another selection from one of San Francisco’s most distinguished private collections.

Emily Taylor Andrews and Adolphus “Dolph” Andrews Jr. were descendants of California pioneers and longtime figures in the city’s cultural and philanthropic circles. Their legacy of connoisseurship, refined taste, and commitment to preserving the decorative arts was reflected throughout the elegant interiors of their San Francisco residence, designed by renowned interior designers Michael Taylor and Anthony Hail.

The July offering presents another opportunity to acquire works that once furnished these storied interiors. Leading the collection is a remarkable pair of Attilio Codognato semi-precious stone-mounted silver-gilt Venetian figures, estimated at $6,000–$8,000. Created by the celebrated Venetian jeweler and designer, the sculptures exemplify Codognato’s signature blend of Renaissance inspiration, exquisite craftsmanship, and luxurious materials.

Additional highlights from the Andrews Collection include a pair of French faience or Delft blue and white orangerie urns, estimated at $600–$800, an elegant S.T. Dupont leather and Lacque de Chine lacquer dressing case, estimated at $500–$700, a dramatic pair of Italian polychrome figural pedestals, and a distinguished pair of 19th-century Russian Nicholas I mahogany brass-mounted armchairs, estimated at $1,000–$2,000. Together, these pieces reflect the Andrews’ appreciation for exceptional European craftsmanship and timeless design — qualities that defined their remarkable collection.

As another chapter in the offering of the Andrews Estate, these works invite collectors to own objects distinguished not only by their beauty and craftsmanship, but also by a provenance rooted in one of San Francisco’s most admired collecting traditions.

A Lifetime of Collecting Elegance and Sentiment: The Irene Deitsch Collection of Victorian & French Posy Holders will be offered through Clars Auctions as the closing presentation of the June 18th Summer Antique Jewelry Salon Auction. The event presents a rare opportunity to acquire pieces from a deeply personal collection — each lot carrying forward a fragment of a story defined by elegance, craftsmanship, and enduring taste.

Irene Deitsch was born in Akron, Ohio, and graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in art education. She married Marshall Deitsch and moved to Los Angeles, where she taught art at the junior high school level before leaving the classroom to raise their two sons. When the family relocated to Palo Alto, California, she joined the art library at Stanford University, deepening the scholarly sensibility that would later define her life as a collector.

After a brief venture into catering, Irene pursued gemology and jewelry design, eventually opening Vanguard Gems, her own store, which she ran with great success for many years. With her sons grown and her grandchildren “up and out,” she turned her full attention to worldwide travel and antique collecting.

Her passion for antique tussie-mussies took hold in the late 1990s after visiting an exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. From that moment, she began assembling what would become a sizable and highly refined collection of posy holders, many of which are depicted in her book Tussie-Mussies: A Collector’s Guide to Victorian Posy Holders (published in 2016 by Marene Press). She also collects antique scent bottles, while her husband Marshall has long been devoted to paperweights.

Now appearing at auction for the first time, The Irene Deitsch Collection of English Victorian and French Posy Holders comprises approximately 130 examples, known variously as porte-bouquets, bouquetiers, or tussie-mussie holders. At the height of fashion between the 1830s and 1880s, these exquisite objects were designed to carry fragrant nosegays, often suspended from chains or fitted with finger rings — uniting artistry, sentiment, and elegance in a single luxurious form.

The collection stands among the most significant private holdings of its kind to appear at auction, rivaling institutional collections in quality and scope. The Frances Jones Poetker Collection at the Smithsonian Gardens, by comparison, comprises approximately 250 examples — underscoring just how remarkable this private assemblage is. Ranging from gold and silver to enamel, jeweled, and filigree work sourced from across Europe and beyond, the collection reflects decades of passionate pursuit and an eye of refinement.

Highlights include a very rare Chinese high carat gold posy holder with presentation case, circa 1890, estimated at $8,000–$12,000, with an intricate wire basket and filigree handle, attached floral pin and finger ring, and a fitted presentation box carved with figural panels and its original key. Also featured is an English 14k gold and enamel posy holder, Liverpool, circa 1880, estimated at $2,000–$3,000, in a satin and velvet-lined octagonal case; a rare English enamel-decorated silver-gilt and glass combination posy holder, perfume bottle, and vinaigrette, circa 1870, estimated at $400–$600; and two European posy holders, circa 1870, estimated at $400–$600, one a possibly Russian example set with a hand-painted miniature portrait encircled by diamonds, the other gilt-metal inset with portrait miniatures and paste jewels on a mother-of-pearl handle.

The Irene Deitsch Collection presents a portrait of a life shaped by discernment, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for artistry across cultures and eras. A consistent thread of sophistication runs throughout — objects chosen not simply for beauty, but for meaning, craftsmanship, and presence — suggesting a home where each piece was genuinely lived with and admired.

The Fine Interiors Auction, taking place on November 20th, is anchored by an important estate designed by the renowned interior design firm Parish-Hadley Associates.

Founded by Sister Parish and Albert Hadley in the mid-20th century, Parish-Hadley became synonymous with refined American elegance. Their work — an artful balance of tradition, comfort, and modernity — defined an entire era of high society design, gracing the homes of figures such as Jacqueline Kennedy, Brooke Astor, and Oscar de la Renta. The firm’s influence extended beyond decoration to shaping the very language of American interior style.

This particular estate beautifully reflects Parish-Hadley’s signature blend of sophistication and warmth. Highlights include a set of four silver-gilt “strawberry boxes” made for Tiffany & Co., estimated at $2,500–$3,500, and a pair of Maison Baguès lights, estimated at $1,200–$1,800.

Also featured are elegant pieces by Ann Getty Designs, a watercolor by Lee Radziwill, and an array of refined tableware, including Georg Jensen sterling, Baccarat stemware, and a charming Victorian Santa sleigh.

Adding to the sale’s appeal is a cased Victorian half hull builder’s model of the SS Beverly by Workman Clark HD, Belfast, estimated at $4,000–$6,000. This rare and finely crafted model represents the golden age of shipbuilding and maritime engineering, exemplifying the precision and artistry characteristic of late 19th-century craftsmanship. The auction continues with fine carpets, coins, and music boxes, all offering a glimpse into a cultivated lifestyle.

Tom and Gussie Lyons’ shared love of design, art, and architecture began soon after their wedding in the early 1950s. In their first homes, a Bertoia/Noguchi child’s table, an Eames rocking chair, and Corita Kent’s vibrant prints reflected their early passion for design and art.

In the 1970s, the Lyons lived in London and there they explored art galleries and antiques shops throughout the city. Returning to Columbus, Indiana in the mid-1970s, they lived and worked amid world class architecture, an experience that further shaped their collecting tastes. From their kitchen window, Eero Saarinen’s steeple for the North Christian Church was visible; while an I.M Pei library with Henry Moore’s Large Arch on its plaza anchored the downtown.

In the 1980s, after settling in San Francisco, their interest in design, sculptural form and modernism blossomed into a passion for Georg Jensen silver. A sculptor before he became a silversmith, Jensen’s work perfectly combined the Lyons’ interest in fine workmanship with form and function. With access to interesting auctions, dealers, and antiques fairs, they built a remarkable collection of Jensen flatware, jewelry, and hollowware. Their pair of Jensen grape candelabra graced the mantels of their Washington Street and Laguna Street homes for over 40 years and a treasured Jensen gravy boat is a mainstay at their daughter’s Thanksgiving table today. Silver items from the Lyons’ collection will be offered at Clars Auctions on November 20th.

Hank Risan’s musical instrument collection included more than 750 examples of fine 19th and 20th century acoustic instruments. On October 17th, we are happy to offer over 50 of these magnificent guitars and mandolins.

Risan owns an 1835 Martin 2½-17 guitar that is believed to have accompanied Mark Twain (born Samuel Clemens) throughout his life. During a 1999 appearance on National Public Radio’s (NPR) All Things Considered program, Risan played an arrangement of the Stephen Foster classic, Old Susannah, on the Twain guitar.

In 2014, Risan placed 265 of his classic guitars on the block with boutique auction house Guernsey’s in New York. The auction was called The Artistry of the Guitar. However, many of the guitars, including the Martin — which was ultimately purchased by The Martin Guitar Company — did not reach their pre-auction estimates or reserves.

Clars Auctions is proud to offer an iconic piece of Hollywood history: a Maltese Falcon prop from the legendary 1941 film noir classic The Maltese Falcon, starring Humphrey Bogart in his breakthrough role as the hard-boiled detective Sam Spade.

Directed by John Huston and based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett, the film is celebrated as one of the greatest detective movies ever made and a cornerstone of the film noir genre.

The Maltese Falcon statue — central to the film’s twisting plot — is a symbol of greed, mystery, and obsession. This particular prop, meticulously crafted and rich in cinematic lore, offers a rare connection to Hollywood’s golden age. While several versions were created for the production, this example stands as a striking representation of one of film’s most enduring icons.

This collectible will be offered at auction on Friday, October 17th at Clars. For film buffs and memorabilia collectors alike, it represents a remarkable opportunity to own a piece of cinematic legend. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of classic Hollywood.

In our September 20th auction, many jazz items and ephemera caught bidders’ attention. On November 21st we are excited to present Session II of the collection.

Included in Session II is an of an extensive collection of early jazz items, including an Ella Fitzgerald signed recording agreement with Clef Records, a rare handwritten music sheet by Charlie Christian, a Billie Holiday signed contract to perform at the Loop Lounge in Cleveland, 1956, a Surrogates Court Order related to the estate of Billie Holiday, and a collection of Billie Holiday original orchestral arrangement sheets. Additional artists represented in the auction include Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lester Young, and Fats Waller, among others.

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.

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.