July Highlights

  • Auction

Clars’ July 14th and 15th auctions will offer an important collection of ethnographic art, ancient Chinese pottery, abstract paintings from artists such as Herb Jackson and James Franco, and beautiful diamond, colored gemstone and gold jewelry that is perfect for any Summer event.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

The sale will be led by a major and important collection of ethnographic art from Vanna and N. Lee Lacy (Palm Springs, California). Mr. Lacy was a prominent Hollywood producer of films, creative golden-era TV series, and iconic commercials. His collecting has spanned six decades. Highlights include a Bakota reliquary, Gabon, estimated at $15,000–$20,000, and an Olmec figure of a baby, valued at $12,000–$18,000.


A Bakota reliquary, Gabon, raised on stand, 22.5″h (overall); 20.5″h.
A Bakota reliquary, Gabon, raised on stand, 22.5″h (overall); 20.5″h (figure).
Estimate: $10,000–$15,000
An Olmec figure of a baby, 9″h.
An Olmec figure of a baby, 9″h.
Estimate: $8,000–$12,000

In addition to the ethnographic collection, the sale with feature a fine selection of sterling silver and objects of vertu, including a Cartier 14k gold cigarette case, estimated at $6,000–$9,000. There will also be an array of traditional decorative arts on offer, including a large collection of samplers, an English bracket clock, and a Swiss orchestral music box, among other items.


Cartier 14k gold cigarette case.
Cartier 14k gold cigarette case.
Estimate: $6,000–$9,000

Asian Art

The Asian Art department will feature a curated group of ancient Chinese pottery and bronze objects from a Palm Springs, CA collection. Leading the group is a finely cast bronze tripod ding ritual vessel, with original lid dated to the Han dynasty. Another noteworthy item from the Han dynasty is an elegant pottery goose-form bottle vase, which still retains some of its original hand painted pigments. Rounding out the collection are two painted pottery jars from the Neolithic period. Both have classic geometric designs and are still in remarkably good condition.


Chinese Han Dynasty Cast Bronze Covered Ding Vessel.
Chinese Han Dynasty Cast Bronze Covered Ding Vessel.
Estimate: $2,000–$4,000
A Chinese Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Goose-Head Bottle Vase. A group of Chinese Neolithic Period Painted Pottery Jars. (lot of 4) Chinese Han Dynasty Pottery Objects.
A Chinese Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Goose-Head Bottle Vase. A group of Chinese Neolithic Period Painted Pottery Jars. (lot of 4) Chinese Han Dynasty Pottery Objects.
Estimate: $2,800–$4,200

Fine Art

This July at Clars, we are pleased to offer an acrylic on canvas painting by American artist, Herb Jackson. Known for abstract and non-objective paintings, Jackson’s colorful compositions are in collections throughout the world, including in the Brooklyn Museum in New York and the British Museum in London. The work up for auction this month, titled Ancient Cycles, features bright earth tones and has a heavily textured appearance. This piece by Herb Jackson is estimated at $8,000–$12,000.


Herb Jackson, Ancient Cycles.
Herb Jackson (American, b. 1945), Ancient Cycles, 2001, acrylic on canvas, 54″ x 42″.
Estimate: $8,000–$12,000

Also to be featured in the July sale is a bronze sculpture by contemporary French artist, Christophe Charbonnel. Titled Homme à la Pierre, this statue depicts a male figure modeled in a style influenced by antique Greek and Roman sculpture. Charbonnel’s figures often echo Classical statuary but are modernized with heavily textured elements and a degree of abstraction alongside emotive expressions on each sculpted face. The bronze in this month’s sale is estimated at $5,000–$7,000.

Lastly, we present an acrylic on canvas painting by well-known American actor and artist, James Franco. Franco’s artwork appears to be influenced by street art and urban scenery, while also paying homage to Neo-Expressionist artists, like Jean-Michel Basquiat, with bright colors and an energetic feel. The painting will be offered at $4,000–$6,000.


Christophe Charbonnel, <em>Homme à la Pierre</em>.
Christophe Charbonnel (Belgian, b. 1967), Homme à la Pierre, 2003, bronze sculpture, 20″ x 11.75″ x 7.25″.
Estimate: $5,000–$7,000
James Franco, Untitled (Blue Bus).
James Franco (American, b. 1978), Untitled (Blue Bus), acrylic on canvas, 84″ x 60″.
Estimate: $4,000–$6,000

Fine Jewelry & Timepieces

The Fine Jewelry & Timepieces department is excited to offer a selection of diamond, colored gemstone, and gold jewelry in their upcoming July 14th sale. This sale features a variety of wardrobe staples to build up the foundation of your jewelry collection at accessible price points. To be featured in the sale are a nice selection of diamond jewelry in time for bridal season, including a pair of diamond and eighteen karat gold stud earrings, estimated at $1,000–$1,500, and a diamond and fourteen karat white gold bracelet, estimated at $3,000–$5,000.


A diamond and fourteen karat white gold bracelet.
A diamond and fourteen karat white gold bracelet.
Estimate: $3,000–$5,000
A pair of coral, diamond and fourteen karat gold earrings.
A pair of coral, diamond and fourteen karat gold earrings.
Estimate: $3,500–$4,500

The sale will also include a colorful gemstone selection, including a pair of coral, diamond, and fourteen karat gold earrings, estimated at $3,500–$4,500; a ruby, diamond, and fourteen karat white gold pendant necklace, estimated at $2,500–$3,500; and an emerald, diamond, and eighteen karat white gold bypass ring, estimated at $2,000–$4,000.

Other wearable pieces that will highlight your everyday life include a David Yurman diamond and sterling silver bracelet, estimated at $500–$700, and a John Hardy sterling silver and eighteen karat gold necklace and ear clips suite, estimated at $400–$600.


Left: A diamond and sterling silver bracelet, David Yurman. Right: A sterling silver and eighteen karat gold necklace and ear clips suite, John Hardy.
Left: A diamond and sterling silver bracelet, David Yurman. Right: A sterling silver and eighteen karat gold necklace and ear clips suite, John Hardy.
Estimate: $900– $1,300
Bidding for Clars’ July 14th and 15th auctions is available by phone, absentee bid, live online at Live.Clars.com and through Liveauctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Clars Auction Gallery is located at 5644 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609.

Clars Auction Gallery is based in Oakland (CA) and is the largest full-service auction gallery in the Western United States. Clars Auction Gallery has been the chosen auction gallery of a number of institutions and distinguished private collectors across the country including the Richard Mellon Scaife Estate, the Thomas J. Perkins Estate and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC).

In the last 5 years, Clars Auction Gallery has sold well over $150,000,000 of Fine Art, Furnishings, Jewelry, Vehicles and Collectibles and has set multiple new world auction records. Follow Clars on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

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