The combination of fine and decorative arts, Asian works, jewelry, and the important Arts & Crafts collection makes the Friday, September 18th Gallery Auction particularly diverse, with material spanning both historic and modern collecting traditions.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

Beyond the featured Arts & Crafts material, Friday’s Gallery Auction offers a broad selection of furniture and decorative arts, providing collectors and interior designers with opportunities across a variety of styles and periods. Among the highlights are sculptures from the Palace of Fine Arts, offering a connection to one of San Francisco’s most iconic architectural landmarks. A Louis Vuitton trunk, estimated at $2,000–$4,000, brings the world of historic luxury travel into the sale, while contemporary American craftsmanship is represented by a Philip Moulthrop spalted sweet gum bowl, number 6990, with engraved signature, estimated at $800–$1,200.

A fascinating historical object is a set of Japanese military/naval binoculars, Tokyo (Tokyo Optical Co.) 5 x 4, No. 844, accompanied by a tripod marked TACO 8720A, estimated at $1,200–$1,500, will be up for grabs. Also from the furniture highlights is a pair of Rose Tarlow chairs, estimated at $1,500–$2,500. The decorative arts selection also features a monumental pair of Indian metal-clad candle prickets, estimated at $1,500–$2,500.

The auction also offers a pair of finely crafted Russian decorative objects: an 84 standard silvergilt and cloisonné enamel miniature kovsch by Feodor Ruckert, estimated at $1,500–$2,000, and a Russian 84 standard silver-gilt and enamel set of six teaspoons by Gustav Klingert, estimated at $1,200–$1,800.

Fine Jewelry & Watches

The jewelry offerings provide an appealing range of historic and decorative pieces, from Victorian jewelry and antique gold to an exceptional Pre-Columbian gold object. A standout is a Pre-Columbian high-karat gold Chiriquí frog, estimated at $8,000–$12,000. The small-scale sculpture exemplifies the sophisticated goldworking traditions of the ancient Chiriquí culture of the Isthmian region and is expected to attract collectors of Pre-Columbian art and ancient gold.

The jewelry selection also includes an antique seed pearl, turquoise, diamond, and 10k gold necklace, estimated at $1,000–$2,000, offering a distinctive combination of colorful gemstones and period craftsmanship. Rounding out the highlights are a Victorian hardstone and 14k gold cameo necklace, estimated at $400–$600, and a pair of antique 14k gold earrings, estimated at $350–$550.

Asian Art

The Asian Art section adds another dimension to Friday’s auction, with highlights ranging from Chinese furniture and porcelain to enamel and Japanese cloisonné. Leading the section is a Chinese huanghuali side table, banzhuo, estimated at $10,000–$15,000. The offering highlights the enduring appeal of huanghuali furniture among collectors of Chinese classical furniture and decorative arts.

Also featured is Zhang Daqian (1899–1983), Masterworks of Chang Dai-Chien, estimated at $5,000–$7,000. Additional Asian highlights include a Chinese champlevé enamel tripod censer and cover, estimated at $3,000–$5,000, and a Chinese blue and white handled vase, also estimated at $3,000–$5,000. A set of four Chinese blue and white porcelain wall panels is estimated at $2,000–$4,000, while a Japanese cloisonné enamel vase by the Ando Cloisonné Company carries an estimate of $1,000–$1,500.

The Warehouse Auction: September 19th

The three-day September auction series concludes with The Warehouse Auction, offering collectors, dealers, designers, and enthusiasts a broad and varied selection of property across categories and price points.

The Warehouse Auction provides an opportunity to discover distinctive works, decorative objects, furnishings, and other treasures, making it an accessible and engaging conclusion to the September auction series.

Clars Auctions will be holding an exciting Fine Asian Art Auction on Friday, August 16th.

The auction will include high-quality works of Asian art, including contemporary Chinese ink paintings, a Tibetan black-ground thangka of Vajrabhairava, Chinese cloisonné enamel burners, a pair of Chinese jade and hardstone embellished lacquer panels, various types of fine jades, porcelains, embroidery, and various miscellaneous items.

Leading the lineup is Setting Sail, a hanging scroll, ink, and color on paper from 1977. This late-period work by Zhang Daqian depicts several quaint cottages nestled at the foot of steep mountains, with small boats gradually disappearing into the distance on the sea. Through this painting, Zhang expresses his blessings for his friend’s forthcoming journey and his reluctance to part. This painting comes from Harvey CV Liu, gifted by Zhang just before he moved from Taiwan to San Francisco, California.

Another featured work is the hanging scroll The Scholar by Zhang Daqian — an ink and color on paper which showcases his masterful delineation of character lines and the elegant depiction of figures.

At the same time, we will also present Pu Ru’s fan painting Secluded Dwelling in Autumn Mountains. Pu Ru’s landscape paintings convey an elegant and refined artistic conception, with meticulously structured and vigorous brushwork and subtle layering of colors. In Secluded Dwelling in Autumn Mountains, Pu Ru uses different shades of ink to artfully render forests and cottages, presenting a harmonious composition. This piece was gifted by Pu Ru to a collector’s father.