Our Design + Art + Fine Asian Art Auction on August 11th will showcase a wide range of treasures, including Design pieces by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, artwork by renowned artists such as Henrietta Berk and William Laven, and fine Asian jade, porcelain, glazed pottery, and paintings.

Design

The August 11th auction will include a nice selection of Design items. Highlights include a pair of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Slipper Lounge Chairs and Ottoman, estimated at $4,000–$6,000, and a T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Sofa, Model 1711, estimated at $4,000–$6,000. This rare sofa has the original upholstery and retains the Widdicomb label.

Robsjohn-Gibbings is perhaps most well-known for his work for Widdicomb, where he worked as a designer from 1943–1956. The softness and shapeliness of his designs for the company were a stark contrast to the rigidness of the Bauhaus aesthetic that was popular at the time. Largely inspired by the Classical world, Robsjohn-Gibbings was also recognized for his Klismos furniture (designed in collaboration with Susan and Eleftherios Saridis). He was largely inspired by Greek furniture and design.

Also on offer will be a set of four Mario Bellini Cab Chairs, valued conservatively at $2,000–$4,000, and a Charles and Ray Eames 670 and 671 lounge chair and ottoman, estimated at $3,000–$5,000.

The sale will feature a collection of pottery items, including examples by Marguerite Wildenhain. The collection belonged to Lorelei Brede who studied at Pond Farm with Wildenhain from 1960–1962. Afterwards, Brede opened a pottery studio and became a pottery instructor in her own right. Several pieces by Brede will be included in the auction alongside Windenhain’s works.

Other designers in the sale include Clyde Burt, Betty Feves, Paolo Soleri, Julian Watts, Ward Bennett, Daum, Burgun, and Schverer & Cie, among others.

Fine Art

Clars is pleased to be offering a painting by influential California artist, Henrietta Berk. A member of the Bay Area Figurative Movement, Berk and her peers dedicated much of their practice to restoring focus on human form and experience in an artistic landscape that was primarily concerned with modern abstraction and conceptual art.

As a student of Richard Diebenkorn, whose own work had shifted from abstract expressionism to figurative painting, Berk was introduced to his wife, psychologist Phyllis Deibenkorn, of whom she painted a portrait. Berk’s technique in painting this portrait does not completely eschew abstraction; Diebenkorn is rendered in broad, painterly brushstrokes with an impressionistic feel, bold color choices and a somewhat geometrical approach to the play of light and shadow on her face and hair. Berk’s portrait embodies the concurrence of traditional figurative art with innovative abstraction during the mid-20th century, creating an emotive and dynamic depiction of her subject.

Asian Art

The Fine Asian Art Auction will feature the following items sourced from various distinguished estates and private collection: a 17th century Chinese cloisonné enamel meiping vase, a Kangix period Chinese famille verte phoenix-tail vase, a collection of Chinese embroidered robes, various Tang dynasty sancai glazed pottery, a group of four Qing dynasty imperial edicts, and various archaic and later period jade carvings.

Clars’ Summer Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction brought in active bidders from across the globe vying for artwork from world famous artists and design from master woodworkers.

The sale began with modern and contemporary art. A featured highlight was Wayne Thiebaud’s (American, 1920–2011) Portrait of Jean Lee Porter, 1951/52, whose provenance was strong and led to a hammer of $31,500. The subject, Jean Lee Porter, was a big band singer in San Francisco and her own notoriety certainly contributed to the interest in the piece.

Another featured highlight was March Avery’s (American, b. 1932), Resting Nude, 1989, oil on canvas. Her stark style of painting, with bold colors and simple linework, appeals to the 21st century minimalist aesthetic. This particular work depicts a female nude — a subject that is highly sought after — and sold for $28,980.

This sale also included a fine example of Alecos Fassianos’ (Greek, 1935–2022) work, Figure in Blue, 1963, oil on canvas, which sold for $20,160. The piece features a quite graphic and color-saturated palette. Several phone bidders fed the competitive bidding.

Squeak Carnwath’s (American, b. 1947), Not Fact, 1996, oil and alkyd on canvas, sold for $18,900 — achieving the 4th highest record price for the artist. Squeak Carnwath, like Thiebaud, is another Bay Area figure. She lives in Oakland and taught art at both UC Davis and UC Berkeley, so her name is notable in Northern California. Her paintings are playful and youthful, appealing to the younger audience buying contemporary art.

Jasper Johns’ (American, b. 1930), Flag (Moratorium), 1969, offset lithograph in colors, edition 97/300, sold for $17,640. This piece was made as a political and anti-war expression, and in the highly politicized climate we live in now, powerful imagery and strong statements feel pertinent and valuable to collectors.

The Design department had strong prices realized across various categories in the Summer Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction. Leading the show was an Arthur Espenet Carpenter dining suite, consisting of eight Wishbone dining chairs and a dining table. The chairs and table realized a combined $40,950, with numerous bidders vying for the lots. Also, a Philip and Kelvin LaVerne ‘Marriage Whirl’ table realized $12,600.

Cristina Campion, Associate Director of 20th Century Design, noted, “we’re certainly seeing strong results for American master woodworkers, including Espenet — as well as other American icons like the design duo, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne.”

The sale included master craftsmanship from across genres and cultures. A highlight was a Tony Hunt totem pole dating to 1990, measuring at a mighty 8′11″. There were several telephone bidders on the totem pole that brought the final sale price to $20,160.

Danish Modern furniture preformed quite well, with a pair of Finn Juhl NV-45 lounge chairs selling for $25,200, and a single Finn Juhl NV-45 lounge chair realizing $16,380. “There’s always a market for noteworthy and iconic Danish Design at auction,” commented Ms. Campion.

Clars’ next auctions will be held on July 14th & 15th. Consignments are always invited. Schedule a private or virtual valuation appointment by emailing [email protected].

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.

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.

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.

Louis Comfort Tiffany was a prolific American designer whose career spanned from the 1870s–1920s. While he was most well known for his stained glass, he produced pieces in a variety of mediums, including pottery, metalwork, and lighting.

At the close of the 19th century, Louis Comfort Tiffany first developed Favrile glass. Deeply impressed from a recent trip to Europe in the 1860s, Tiffany drew inspiration from Roman and Syrian glass making. After much experimenting, Tiffany’s technique of ingraining color within the glass set it apart from other types of iridescent glass, resulting in the beautiful distinctive hues of Favrile glass.

Tiffany was also largely inspired by nature – he was captivated by the array of lush colors of flowers and plants. This attraction to color also contributed to the brilliant shades featured in Favrile glass objects.

Tiffany went on to win a grand prize at the 1900 Paris Exposition (the World’s Fair), for his Favrile glass. Later, he began producing lamps and large stained-glass Favrile pieces, cementing himself as one of the most influential figures in the Art Nouveau style through to the Arts and Crafts period.

The June 15th Modern + Contemporary Design Auction will include master craftsman from across genres and cultures.

California has a lengthy history of woodworking and studio furniture design. One of the most renowned master woodworkers was Arthur Espenet Carpenter. Born in 1920, Arthur Espenet Carpenter was a self-taught furniture maker. He began with making wood turned bowls at his studio in San Francisco in the late 1940s to early 1950s. However, by the mid-1950s, he had expanded to build custom furniture. Carpenter found that production was so busy that he felt disconnected from the furniture building process.

In 1957, he decided that it was time to relocate to Bolinas, California, where he custom built his own house for his family. At his Bolinas studio, Espenet would create unique one-of-a-kind pieces for his clients, but would also create his most well-known iconic pieces — such as the Wishbone armchair. Clars is excited to offer a suite of eight Wishbone chairs, including two armchairs, in our June 15th Design auction. The suite has an auction estimate of $20,000–$40,000. Also to be featured is a stunning dining table having five butterfly inlays, estimated at $10,000–$15,000.

Another highlight from American designers in the auction is a Philip and Kelvin Laverne ‘Marriage Whirl’ table, estimated at $15,000–$20,000.

Danish Modern will also have a prominent role in the auction. Highlights include a pair of Finn Juhl NV-45 chairs, estimated at $20,000–$40,000, and a single chair, estimated at $8,000–$12,000. The auction will also include an extensive Georg Jensen ‘Acorn’ pattern table service, estimated at $5,000–$7,000, and an Illum Wikkelso Leather V-11 Sofa, valued at $4,000–$6,000.

The Summer Design sale features master craftsman from across genres and cultures. Clars is pleased to present a monumental Tony Hunt Totem pole, measuring 8’11”, and estimated at $4,000–$6,000. A part of the Kwakwaka’wakw community in British Columbia, Hunt was born into a family of professional woodcarvers and started training at an early age.

Also on offer will be an Alain Chevret table, estimated at $4,000–$6,000.

There will be two custom roadsters from a single owner advanced collector in Sonoma Valley, CA. One is a 1930 Model A Tudor with a Chevrolet 350ci Vortex Turbo engine, estimated at $25,000–$30,000, and the other is a 1927 Model T with a Ford 302ci 40 over engine with comp cam, valued at $25,000–$30,000. Both have custom paint and interiors and many added performance features which make these hot rods very fast, street legal machines.

Clars is also proud to represent select items from the personal collection of EGOT winning actress, the legendary Rita Moreno. Rita’s remarkable career ranges from music to film and dance, though she is arguably best known for her Academy-Award winning performance as Anita in the 1962 motion picture, West Side Story. Later in her career, she would work in both television and the stage. Items in the auction range from stage worn dresses by designers including Bob Mackie, scripts and awards, as well as fine artworks.

The auction will include a host of other well-known names in design including Stan Bitters, Peter Voulkos, Gertrud and Otto Natzler, Frank Gehry, Mario Bellini, Liberty & Co, and Tiffany Studios, among others.

Clars will be offering select items from the personal collection of EGOT winning actress, the legendary Rita Moreno, at our Summer Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction.

Rita’s remarkable career ranges from music, film, and dance. Maybe best known for her Academy-Award winning performance as Anita in the 1962 motion picture, West Side Story, she also worked in both television and the stage later in her career. Items to be offered on June 15th include fine art, stage worn dresses by designers including Bob Mackie, scripts, and awards.

Clars had a strong 2022 Design auction season with bidders vying for the top lots, allowing Clars to achieve impressive auction records across the board.

Spring Highlights

Clars was pleased with the international response to American designers, like George Nakashima and Vladimir Kagan, at the March 25th Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction.

Leading the Design section of the auction was a wall hanging cabinet by master woodworker, George Nakashima, that topped off at $62,500 and sold to an international bidder.

A Vladimir Kagan Collection contour rocking chair, circa 1999, had numerous bidders competing for the lot, and found a new home with an online bidder for $16,900.

Another popular Designer among bidders was Hans Wegner, whose Papa Bear lounge chair realized $13,700.

Summer Highlights

The June 17th Modern + Contemporary Art + Design sale at Clars totaled $1,070,250 across 239 lots.

Highlights for Design included a set of Mario Bellini Cab chairs that sold for $17,500, and a Phillip Lloyd Powell New Hope Chair that brought $15,000.

Fall Highlights

Clars had a nearly 100% sell through rate for the Fall Design sale on September 16th, with just above 100 lots selling for over $210,000 total.

Top picks included an Angelo Mangiarotti ‘Eros’ Dining Table, which sold for $18,750, and a set of Christian Liaigre Bazane Stools that sold for $9,375.

Winter Highlights

Design led Clars’ December 18th Auction with a large selection of pottery, including several pieces by Toshiko Takaezu. Takaezu, a Hawaiian ceramicist of Japanese descent, is most well known for her ‘Closed forms.’ Clars was pleased with the results of a set of four of these pieces which commanded $24,250.

Clars’ Modern Art Sale Sets Loie Hollowell Record. Review by Madelia Hickman Ring, Antiques And The Arts Weekly.

OAKLAND, CALIF. – On Friday, March 25, Clars Auction Gallery set a new record for Loie Hollowell (American, b 1983), when Point of Entry (Blood-Orange Moon Over Orange Sac), a mixed media work measuring 48 by 36 inches achieved $1,050,000 from a buyer in the United States who was a new client for Clars. The price was not only the artist’s highest price realized in a sale in the United States (the current overall record for Hollowell stands at $2,126,095 for Linked Lingams [yellow, green, blue, purple, pink], set in June 2021 in Hong Kong) but it was the first time in Clars’ 50-year history that a lot has surpassed the million dollar mark. It was far and away the top lot of 1,579 lots of modern and contemporary art, design, furniture, decorative and fine art, Asian art and jewelry offered March 25–27; the tally for the three days of sales was about $3 million, a total that ranks in the top three in the firms’ history and the highest sale since the company changed ownership in 2019.

Rick Unruh, chief executive officer and director of fine art at Clars, said, “Clars showed the global art world that when one has an exceptional, contemporary piece, such as our Loie Hollowell, they (the bidders) will come – and they did. We went all out with marketing, we even marketed it in Asian newspapers to get to the Hong Kong market. We had clients from all over the world interested. Many of the bidders on it were new to Clars.”

The second highest price of the sale at $150,000 was a rare drawing by Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973) titled, Etudes VII (d’apres Manet) from 1961. Well-documented in the artist’s catalogue raisonné, the lot had multiple international bidders but in the end sold to a buyer in San Francisco. Rounding out the top three at $106,250 was the double-sided oil on canvas work titled Fishing Town with Women on Beach/Seascape with Trees by Maria-Mela Muter (Polish French, 1876–1967). It received serious international attention, including from Poland and Israel and sold to a buyer in Poland.

Works by such iconic artists as Roy Lichtenstein, David Hockney, Wayne Thiebaud, Salvador Dali, Sol Lewitt and Richard Diebenkorn peppered the sale and brought strong results too. Particularly noteworthy was Roy Lichtenstein’s Shipboard Girl offset lithograph from 1965, which made $53,125, a price that is an improvement over the $20,000 hammer price the Napa Valley, Calif., seller paid for it when they acquired it from Clars in 2013. The seller of the Litchtenstein also sold a portfolio of 39 prints – etchings, aquatints, drypoints and soft ground etchings – by British artist David Hockney (b 1937), which nearly doubled its low estimate to finish at $34,925. Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm had been acquired at Sotheby’s New York in 2011 for $8,125.

Cristina Campion, Clars’ associate director of Twentieth Century design, was thrilled with the international response to works by American master woodworkers, like George Nakashima and Vladimir Kagan. A 1971 wall hanging cabinet by Nakashima that retained its original work card from the George Nakashima Studio topped off at $62,500, more than twice its high estimate and sold to an international buyer bidding on the phone. A contour rocking armchair from the Vladimir Kagan collection, circa 1999, had provenance to Dennis Miller Associates of New York City and found a new home with an online bidder for $16,900, more than three times its high estimate.

Another favorite among bidders was Danish designer Hans Wegner, who was represented in the sale with six lots. Leading the group at $17,500 was a valet chair, followed by a Papa Bear lounge chair that realized $13,700.