Clars in collaboration with exhibited.at is honored to present the visionary inaugural auction: Artists to Watch: California. This section will lead the Spring Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction held on March 21st, 2 PM PDT.

Founded by former Christie’s specialist Rodania Leong, exhibited.at focuses on art, community and innovation — empowering artists, curators, and galleries with the ability to archive their rich exhibition history while providing guidance on diverse art initiatives. Together with Clars — the exceptional art appraisers and auctioneers who have over fifty years of expertise in hosting Bay Area auctions — this collaboration harnesses the expertise of both exhibited.at and Clars whilst delving into the rich history and allure of California art.

California has long been a force for artistic innovation, and this auction aims to showcase the work of ten pioneering artists based in the Golden State. A few of the artists who will be featured in this inaugural sale are Gabe Weis and Alexa Arnold.

Gabe Weiss is a mixed media and NFT artist living in the Bay Area. The self-taught artist is inspired by street art and stoic philosophy and uses a stream-of-consciousness approach to his work to explore perceptions of reality. His physical and digital works are shown internationally. This past year, his work has been exhibited at the Venice Biennale, Picasso Museum, Seattle Art Fair, and various galleries throughout Asia and the United States. Gabe is committed to sustainability in his craft. By reusing older materials found around the house, such as cereal boxes, maps, and old dictionaries to create timeless works, he hopes his work inspires others to reuse materials as part of their art practice.

Alexis Arnold is a mixed media visual artist in Oakland, CA. Her artwork has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Aspen Art Museum, Napa Valley Museum, Whatcom Museum, Beaux-Arts Mons Belgium, Atlanta Airport, Bergdorf Goodman, di Rosa, and The NY Hall of Science. Alexis’ work is included in the collections of SFMOMA, Meta, VCU, MediaMath, Costa Cruises, University of Pittsburgh, and others.

The history of art in California holds profound significance, reflecting a dynamic intersection of cultural, social, and environmental influences. As a beacon of creativity and innovation, California has been a canvas for diverse artistic movements — from the early 20th-century Bohemian enclaves to the rise of contemporary art hubs. The state’s artistic legacy truly encapsulates the spirit of experimentation and cultural diversity unique to California, its rich history nourishing the evolution of artistic expression and societal shifts, and the transformative power of the Californian landscape on the creative imagination.

With this inaugural auction, we take great pride in introducing ten esteemed artists who persistently enrich the tapestry of California art. Their work resonates with audiences and collectors worldwide, serving as pioneers in the evolution of artistic expression. We invite you to immerse yourself in this presentation, offering an opportunity to discover, connect, and support those instrumental in shaping the lasting legacy of California’s art history.

Join us in celebrating their creativity, innovation, and enduring impact! For more information or any questions, please reach out to [email protected] and [email protected].

This March we are excited to present several very special works in our Spring Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction.

We are privileged and honored to present a very important work by 1991 National Artist of the Philippines, Hernando Ruiz Ocampo. Ocampo stands as an iconic artist in the Philippines, being a leader of modernist painting in the country during the first half of the twentieth century. The monumental work by Ocampo in our March sale, one of only two made by the artist in this size, is titled Mga Kiti, which can be taken as a reference to either duck embryos or mosquito larvae. Dating to 1978, the scroll-like painting, done in acrylic paint on Tetoron fabric, showcases a repeating pattern of similar forms that echo human figures, the bodies of birds, lotus pods, and cellular structures.

Another featured work is a life-size ceramic kimono by American sculptor, Karen LaMonte. LaMonte is known for her sculptures of garments which appear to be draped over a human form but stand alone as if moving on their own. LaMonte works in glass, bronze, and ceramic, and the child’s kimono in our March sale is made of ceramic with a light blue celadon glaze.

Another sculpture highlight in the March sale is a bronze by Eric Goulder, titled The Woman. This figural piece depicts a nude woman seated while raising a hand to her mouth — a look of surprise on her face. The nearly life-size sculpture is formed in a highly realistic style displaying musculature and hair texture, as well as emotion and body language.

Moving on to our selection of paintings this March, we are pleased to offer two works by Bay Area Figurative Movement member, Henrietta Berk. Berk is celebrated for her emotive use of color and the strong element of movement in her painting. She often utilizes an impasto painting technique, which we see in both pieces in the March auction. One painting, titled Spanish Landscape, depicts a starkly lit town with a blazing orange sky over green fields and scattered buildings. The second piece, an untitled figurative painting, shows a young woman and man seated and talking in the grass. Speculation of this work and other similar pieces by Berk alleges that the couple is modeled after President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Another standout in the March auction is a large oil on canvas by Latvian-American painter, Raimonds Staprans. Staprans built a large following while practicing in San Francisco during the second half of the 20th century. He is known for bold color and painterly brushwork, often focusing on architectural landscapes and still lifes. The painting at Clars this month is a rare figural work depicting a female nude. Staprans maintains his signature bold color and audacious painting technique in his exploration of the human figure.

Also included this March are large paintings by Enrico Donati and Hunt Slonem, a work on paper and print by Bay Area artist Joan Brown, and much more.

Clars is pleased to offer one of the most extensive contemporary glass collections in Northern California as part of a prominent Bay Area estate on Thursday, March 21st in our Spring Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction.

The couple were tireless and passionate about the art of glass blowing, and spent over three decades acquiring important pieces. They were known nationally as top tier collectors. From this collection, Clars will be offering iconic pieces from several artists, including Dale Chihuly, Dan Dailey, Therman Statom, David Salvadore, and Joel Phillip Myers.

Clars is excited to present the Spring Luxury Jewels & Timepieces Auction on Thursday, March 21st, commencing at 9:30 AM PDT.

This sale features an exquisite array of diamonds, colored gemstones, antique jewelry, signed pieces, and timepieces — showcasing renowned makers such as Bulgari, Cartier, Tiffany, David Webb, Rolex, and Patek Philippe.

The auction’s spotlight shines on chic designs from esteemed makers such as Bulgari — featuring a captivating gemstone and 18k gold ‘Passo Doppio’ necklace — with an estimated value of $6,000–$8,000. David Webb is represented by an enticing pair of coral, diamond, emerald, and 18k gold ear clips, estimated at $10,000–$15,000. Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger is also featured in the auction with a stunning pair of diamond, 18k gold, and platinum earrings, expected to fetch $10,000–$15,000.

Complementing these remarkable pieces, a handpicked selection of exceptional diamond and colored gemstones will be offered in the sale. These highlights include a No Heat Burma ruby, diamond, and 14k bi-color gold ring, estimated at $5,000–$7,000; an opal, diamond, and 18k gold necklace and earring set, valued at $4,000–$6,000; a Paraíba-type tourmaline, diamond, and 18k white gold ring, estimated at $5,000–$7,000; a natural jadeite, diamond, and platinum ring, estimated at $2,000–$3,000; and a dazzling diamond and 14k white gold ring, estimated at $20,000–$30,000.

An exquisite selection of timepieces to be offered in this sale is led by a Rolex stainless steel wristwatch, Submariner, Ref. 5513, estimated at $7,000–$9,000; a Patek Philippe 18k pink gold ‘Top Hat’ wristwatch, Ref. 1450, anticipated to fetch $7,000–$9,000; and a Jaeger-LeCoultre 18k gold ‘Reverso Grande Taille’ wristwatch, estimated at $4,500–$5,500.

This March at Clars, we are privileged and honored to present a very important work by 1991 National Artist of the Philippines, Hernando Ruiz Ocampo.

Ocampo stands as an iconic artist in the Philippines, being a leader of modernist painting in the country during the first half of the twentieth century. As a painter who ushered in an era of creative exploration in the country, Ocampo developed a singular style that expressed the Filipino experience through emotive color, form, and abstraction.

Ocampo was born and raised in greater Manila in 1911 and studied both law and writing — becoming an accomplished poet and fiction writer before approaching the visual arts. His early painting career is marked by experimentation with modes of expression, including a series titled Luetica, for which his visceral depictions of human mortality earned him strong reactions upon exhibition.

After the devastation of World War II in the Philippines, progressive artists worked to reflect the hardships and realities of life. Ocampo and his colleagues, including fellow National Artists Vicente S. Manansala and Cesar Legaspi, inaugurated a movement of distinctly Filipino Neo-Realism, combining modernist abstraction with figurative subject matter.

Neo-Realists took their inspiration from the struggles of workers, family life, poverty, and the local landscape. Although one can detect the influence of prior and concurrent movements in Europe and the United States — including Cubism and Vorticism as well as Social Realism — the Neo-Realists’ work was categorically unique in its blend of the Filipino experience with modernist aesthetics. Out of the many talented artists in his circle, Ocampo favored the freedom that abstraction afforded him in his work; and as he gained confidence in his practice, it became more symbolic and less objective in nature.

Ocampo continued to delve further into abstraction as his career progressed. His close peer, Cesar Legaspi, was quoted speaking about Ocampo’s creative evolution, stating, “I think the impact of those paintings was needed then as the controversy between the moderns and the conservatives was going full blast and we had to have some kind of exemplar as to how far and how powerful a new kind of art could be.”

While Ocampo did create paintings that used abstraction while still forming a recognizable scene, such as the landscape Reaching for the Moon and the mother and child figures in Break of Day, his most well-known pieces are those that allow for open interpretation and push viewers to investigate their own subconscious. Here, the painter relies on formal elements to create a sensory experience. The principles of color and shape were fundamental to Ocampo’s work in the later years of his career. One can identify his personal connection to the color orange in many of his works, and he uses amorphous and organic shapes like tiles to form imposing structures — painstakingly faceted with vivid tones to achieve depth and form.

The monumental work by Ocampo in our March sale, one of only two made by the artist in this size, is titled Mga Kiti, which can be taken as a reference to either duck embryos or mosquito larvae. Dating to 1978, the scroll-like painting, done in acrylic paint on Tetoron fabric, showcases a repeating pattern of similar forms that echo human figures, the bodies of birds, lotus pods, and cellular structures. The background — painted a deep red that graduates into lighter crimson — recalls blood, with the small circles sprinkled throughout suggesting blood cells. Yellow linework traces throughout the length of the painting in a style reminiscent of batik, a medium originating in the neighboring country of Indonesia, and further separates the areas of red, black, and orange like cells dividing.

The lines and colors seem to undulate, expand, and contract — like compartments of breathing lungs. Like in much of his previous work, Ocampo utilizes color, specifically in the spectrum of orange, and creates a mosaic-like composition. Although the piece was commissioned by patron, Ginny Jacinto, the idea of regeneration may have been close to Ocampo’s own heart during its creation; the artist was in his late sixties and dealing with multiple health issues. Mga Kiti was Ocampo’s final painting before his death in December of 1978. Its themes of renewal, movement, and creation seem to be a summation of his work — the balance between figuration and abstraction, and a pure expression of life itself. Mga Kiti serves as a grand testament to Ocampo’s talents as a master of his craft both in formal composition, with his uncanny ability to evoke tactility and sensoriality, and as a translator of ideas, emotion, and the creative force from which all art originates.

Clars is excited to present our Furniture, Art & Asian Auction on March 22nd and our Warehouse Auction on March 23rd.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

The Friday sale will feature an exquisite array of European and American furniture and decorative arts, including a Tiffany Studios lamp, a Chinese pattern desk set, an English Chinoiserie tall case clock, American Classical Revival cabinets, antique carpets, Egyptian canopic jars, fine English silver, Baccarat glass, Flora Danica, and Herend porcelain.

Additionally, we are proud to present a collection of contemporary Inuit stone carvings by esteemed artists, such as Aquangajuk Shaa, Toonoo Sharky, and Nuna Parr.

Fine Art

This March at Clars, we are offering a selection of fine paintings and sculptures for the collector with sophisticated and traditional tastes. First is an oil on canvas painting by English equestrian painter, John Frederick Herring Sr., depicting a jockey atop a racehorse. Herring, who was at first at sign painter and coachman by trade, was a successful painter of racehorses and jockeys. He became a favorite of Queen Victoria — who patronized his work for the last 20 years of his life.

Second, we present an oil on canvas by French-Polish painter, Adam Styka. Styka was known for his Orientalist work showcasing scenes of North Africa as well as portrayals of the American West. The painting at Clars this month depicts a man riding a donkey while guiding another, both standing in shallow water with a mountainous desert landscape behind them.

A third highlight is an oil on canvas by French painter, Jules Cheret. Cheret was known in his time as an icon of Belle Epoque poster art. His paintings show influence from the Rococo masters of the 18th century, particularly Jean-Honore Fragonard, in the use of pastel colors and garden scenery. The painting for offer at Clars is titled Dejeuner sur L’Herbe and depicts a group of picnickers, including a joyful woman in a pink dress and a man who appears to be a friendly spectral onlooker, spending the day enjoying a lush garden.

Lastly, we offer a bronze sculpture by Navajo artist, R.C. Gorman. This original sculpture depicts a mother in repose, holding her swaddled baby. The woman’s face shows a tranquil expression as she appears to sing a lullaby to her child who sleeps peacefully in her arms.

Asian Art

In the upcoming March auction, Clars’ Asian Art department is proud to present these exceptional highlights from located collections. First is a magnificent Rattanakosin Kingdom gilt bronze figure of Buddha under Naga — a masterful representation of Thai Buddhist art. This exquisite piece captures the serene moment of the Buddha in meditation, shielded by the protective embrace of the Naga (serpent). The intricate detailing, spiritual symbolism, and lustrous gold embellishment of this statue are hallmark features of the Rattanakosin period, renowned for its artistic brilliance. This statue is not merely an artifact; it is a testament to the devoutness and the exceptional skill of Rattanakosin artisans in bronze craftsmanship.

Complementing the spiritual allure of the Buddhist statue is a Chinese huanghuali coffer — a fine example of Ming dynasty style furniture. Crafted from the highly coveted huanghuali rosewood — known for its striking grain, aromatic scent, and remarkable durability — this table embodies the luxury and refined taste of its era. Its design, characterized by elegance and simplicity, reflects the core aesthetic values of harmony and balance in Chinese art and philosophy. More than a piece of furniture, this coffer offers a glimpse into life and culture in the past.

The Warehouse Auction

Clars’ Warehouse Auction is set to showcase an eclectic range of art, prints and photographs. Each month we select paintings, prints, and sculptures in diverse styles — from all over the world — to offer with accessible estimates.

The furniture section will offer antique, vintage and contemporary furniture and decorative arts, including Arthur Court furniture, a collection of elephants, Studio art glass and pottery, perfume bottles, porcelain dinner services, stemware, clocks, mirrors, and carpets. The Asian Art Department presents a meticulously curated collection in our March Warehouse auction, spanning Japanese woodblock prints, ceramics, folding screens, and various decorative pieces. Additionally, our selection includes decorative Chinese furniture, jade and hardstone carvings, and ceramics from various periods.

A standout piece in our March Modern + Contemporary sale is this large acrylic on canvas painting by Los Angeles-based artist, Matt Gondek.

Gondek is known for colorful canvases with thick, bold lines depicting cartoon and comic book characters from the late 20th century, often exploding, melting, or in some way deconstructed through a darkly humorous lens.

The painting at Clars this month will look familiar to millennial collectors; the scene shows the characters from the Nickelodeon cartoon show Rugrats in a state of fragmentation. Followers of Clars will remember the Gondek painting in our November 2023 sale depicting 1990s Warner Brothers characters, Pinky and the Brain, which sold at auction for $12,600.

Clars is pleased to be offering over 70 works of art from the Collection of Allan Stone (by descent) on Thursday, March 21st in our Spring Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction.

From 1960 to 2020, Stone had a prominent New York City gallery that was known for showing artists such as: Wayne Thiebaud, Eva Hesse, Jack Whitten, as well as, Barnett Newman, Richard Estes, Yasuhide Kobashi, Robert Arneson, Cesar and Dorothy Grebenak among many others.

“How do I know when I’ve finished a painting? It’s when that element of surprise is there” (Joan Brown). This March at Clars we are proud to feature a work on paper and a print by one of the most well-loved modern artists of Bay Area origin.

Joan Brown was born in San Francisco in 1938 and continued to work in the area for her entire life, creating paintings, sculptures, and works on paper that celebrated the city of San Francisco and its surroundings. Brown began her art education at the California School of Fine Arts (now the San Francisco Art Institute) where she began working with her mentor — fellow Bay Area icon, Elmer Bischoff — who she credited with encouraging her to focus on her own creative instincts and less on academic rules.

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, with whom she had a son who inspired much of her work during the 1960s. Brown also taught at several California universities during the 1960s, including the California School of Fine Arts, Mills College, and UC Berkeley.

As she matured in her practiced, Brown included more symbolism in her paintings, including spiritual and New Age ideas. This interest led her to travel the world and gather inspiration from various religions and cultures — installing mosaic obelisks honoring these new influences. Brown tragically passed away while installing one of these obelisks at Sai Baba’s Eternal Heritage Museum in Puttaparthi, India. The works included in the March auction are a gouache and pencil on paper piece, titled Running at Ocean Beach, which depicts the artist jogging at the famous San Francisco seaside, and a woodcut/lithograph, titled Golden Gate, depicting the renowned bridge at sunset with a swimmer and boater in the blue bay waters.

Clars is excited to present our Furniture, Art, Jewelry & Asian Auction on February 16th and our Warehouse Sale on February 17th. These sales will offer a splendid variety pieces that any collector would treasure.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

The Furniture & Decorative Arts section of the February Gallery auction offers a diverse collection of antiques and contemporary items, ranging from Regency swan consoles and antique Persian and Chinese carpets to modern furniture icons by Hans Wegner and Percival Lafer.

Decorations include sterling silver, French bronze decorations, Meissen porcelain, and a menagerie of Herend animals. A collection of Santa Clara blackware vessels and a vibrant spectrum of contemporary art glass and studio ceramics will also be available.

Fine Art

Fine Art will present an exciting selection of artwork this February. Highlights include works by important California artists, such as Elmer Bischoff and Sam Francis, as well as an impressive sculpture by Italian-American artist, Harry Bertoia.

First, we offer a painting by Bay Area Figurative Movement artist, Bischoff. A Berkeley native, Bischoff studied art and taught at a Sacramento high school until he joined the United States Air Force in World War II. After the destruction of the war, the prevailing art style in the United States was Abstract Expressionism, and Bischoff moved in circles with avant-garde painters upon his return to the San Francisco area.

After joining the faculty of the California School of Fine Arts (now the San Francisco Art Institute), Bischoff worked in close company with like-minded artists, including Karl Kasten, Richard Diebenkorn, and David Park. Diebenkorn and Park joined Bischoff in forming the “First Generation” of Bay Area Figurative artists. This group transitioned away from working in the mode of Abstract Expressionism and embraced a figurative style.

Bischoff’s work in this month’s sale, titled Cityscape — and depicting just that, shows a scene that could be taken from several areas around the San Francisco Bay, with the rooftops of buildings receding down and peeping over the tops of hills. Although Bischoff and his colleagues championed figuration in their artwork, we can still see the echo of abstraction in the bold colors and emotive brushwork of this painting.

An artist whose work remained solidly in the realm of Abstract Expressionism throughout his career was San Mateo-born, Sam Francis. Like Bischoff, Francis served in the Air Force during World War II. After his return to California, he was visited by artist David Park, who encouraged Francis to express himself artistically. Inspired by artists like Mark Rothko and Helen Frankenthaler, Francis’ work was characterized by large dollops of vivid color, smeared into both geometric and organic forms. Rather than remaining in California, Francis travelled globally, exhibiting and working in Paris, Mexico, New York, and Tokyo, where his exposure to Zen Buddhism greatly influenced his work.

Francis eventually landed in Los Angeles and became a prolific printmaker. The Francis piece to be offered at Clars this month is a striking monotype featuring woodcut and oil pigment elements. Viewers will note the painterly elements of the print, translated directly from Francis’ earlier paintings, as well as the solid color structure of the composition. Francis often favored primary colors in his work, particularly blue, and this piece is no exception. These components designate this print as an exemplary Sam Francis creation.

Finally, we will offer a large-scale sculpture by Harry Bertoia. Born in Pordenone, Italy, Bertoia travelled to the United States at age 15 to study jewelry making and metalwork. His talent in these areas quickly led to commissions from figures as prominent in the arts as Charles Eames and Edmund Bacon. After further studies in welding, Bertoia experimented with furniture design, and developed his most notable creation — the sound sculpture. Bertoia fashioned several of these sculptures, comprised of brass and beryllium copper rods affixed to a flat surface, and used them to record a series of 11 albums, all titled Sonambient.

Although Bertoia eventually made dozens of these sculptures, each one is completely unique, producing different tones based on the configuration of rods, metal composition, and the shape of the sculpture. These multi-functional artworks can be found in prominent collections nationwide, including the Brooklyn Museum in New York and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. The sounding sculpture at Clars this month consists of 16 vertical rods that are minimalist and modern in appearance, yet ring out with an expressive timbre. Also featured this month are attractive works by Louise Nevelson, Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, and much more.

Fine Jewelry & Timepieces

The Fine Jewelry & Timepieces department at Clars is excited to offer a selection of diamond, colored gemstone and gold jewelry, in their upcoming February 16th sale.

This sale features a variety of wardrobe staples to build up the foundation of your jewelry collection at accessible price points. Some of these highlights include a diamond ring, featuring a diamond approximately 1.50 carats, estimated at $3,000–$5,000; and a diamond and 14k gold bracelet, estimated at $4,000–$6,000. There will also be a colorful gemstone selection available, including a pink tourmaline and 14k white gold ring, estimated at $2,000–$3,000; and a cultured South Sea pearl, diamond and 14k white gold ring, estimated at $800–$1,200. Other wearable pieces include a collection of Trifari costume jewelry, estimated at $200–$300. Complementing the auction will be a selection classic timepieces, including an Omega Constellation 18k gold watch, estimated at $3,000–$5,000.

Asian Art

This February, Clars’ Asian Art department will offer a diverse array of Asian masterpieces that span several cultures and historical periods.

A key feature in the sale is the collection of jade carvings, crafted in the 18th-century Mughal Style. These pieces, including intricately designed teapots and incense boxes, blend Indian and Chinese artistry, highlighting the rich Mughal influence.

Another notable highlight is the Ming Dynasty fahua ceramic figure of Luohan. This piece, characterized by the vibrant and intricate fahua glazing technique, reflects the religious significance and artistic depth of the Ming Dynasty.

We will be offering additional highlights from the Qing Dynasty, including a Chinese famille rose and underglaze blue bird and flower hu-form vase, which showcases intricate and colorful depictions of avian and floral motifs. A Chinese enameled 100 deer hu-form vase is another masterpiece available that features a multitude of deer in various stances — symbolizing longevity and prosperity. Lastly, the Chinese jade and hardstone embellished lacquer wall panel up for auction is a testament to exquisite craftsmanship, combining luxurious materials in a harmonious design.

Also to be featured is a remarkable late 19th century Japanese inlaid bronze koro and cover, crafted by Ohashi San’emon (1851–1895) during the Meiji period. Measuring 14.125″ in height, this piece is distinguished by a pixiu finial and is elaborately decorated with auspicious symbols in copper, silver, and gilt. The inscription, “Dai Nihon Ohashi Sam’emon seizo,” on the underside further authenticates its origin.