Clars proudly presents the distinguished sale of Property from the Estate of Senator Dianne Feinstein on December 18th beginning at 1 PM PST, offering a significant opportunity to acquire items from the personal collection that graced her iconic San Francisco residence.

The property from the Estate of Senator Dianne Feinstein, drawn from her distinguished residences in San Francisco and Seadrift, reflects the senator’s refined taste and graceful aesthetic. The collection includes richly upholstered leather and down furnishings, fine Chinese and Tibetan carpets, English and Continental antiques, Tibetan pieces, and elegant items with Chinoiserie influences.

Senator Feinstein’s distinguished career as the longest-serving female U.S. Senator, coupled with her groundbreaking roles as San Francisco’s first female mayor and chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, solidified her legacy as a pragmatic leader.

Also featured is a sophisticated selection of barware, stemware, and serveware, alongside fine art encompassing landscapes, still lifes, and architectural views of San Francisco. Together, these objects speak to Senator Feinstein’s deep and enduring connection to the city she represented with such distinction for decades.

Clars’ Important Holiday Fine Art Auction on December 18th presents an exceptional selection of artworks by celebrated artists working across a wide range of periods and styles.

Among the premier highlights is an oil on canvas by Bay Area favorite, Raimonds Staprans (American/Latvian, b. 1926), an artist with whom Clars has consistently achieved strong results. Staprans is renowned for his vivid palette and distinctive use of line — qualities that are fully evident in Still Life with the Ugly Hockney Vase #2. The off-white vase rests on a similarly colored surface set against a striking red ground, while delicate lines in orange, violet, and sky blue trace the object’s edges and heighten its dimensionality. Selected for the cover of the 2006 exhibition catalog for Staprans’ retrospective at the Latvian National Museum, the painting exemplifies the artist’s ability to reinvigorate traditional still-life subjects through bold color and decisive brushwork. This work is estimated at $150,000–$200,000.

Another major feature of the December sale is a mixed-media work on canvas by Los Angeles based artist Mark Bradford (American, b. 1961). Bradford’s practice is deeply informed by his upbringing in South Los Angeles and by his explorations of race, gender, and identity — as well as the influence of his mother’s hair salon — where he worked after high school. Many of his materials originate in that environment, including hair dye and the end papers used in perm treatments. The December offering, painted in soft green hues, is layered with sheets of end paper in various states of translucency, some singed to a deep brown. The staggered layers create surprising depth and texture across the surface. Bradford’s work is widely admired and held in prominent collections, and he has received national recognition, including his inclusion in Time Magazine’s 2021 list of the most influential people and the National Medal of Arts in 2023. This untitled piece carries an estimate of $20,000–$30,000.

A further highlight is a ceramic plate by Spanish modernist Pablo Picasso (1881–1973), titled Visage de Femme and dating to 1953 during his collaboration with the Madoura Pottery studio in Vallauris, France. Picasso’s ceramics remain highly desirable as accessible, yet significant examples of his contributions to twentieth-century art. This piece features the Cubist depiction of a woman’s face, rendered in white, cyan, and blue on a black ground, with a bold white line forming the nose above a slight smile and a beaded necklace. The plate is estimated at $15,000–$20,000.

These marquee offerings are joined by additional works from artists such as Granville Redmond, Wayne Thiebaud, Jules Tavernier, Maynard Dixon, Thomas Hart Benton, and many more.

Clars Auctions is pleased to announce its upcoming November Gallery Auction, taking place on Friday, November 21st, 9:30 AM PST. This exciting event will feature a notable collection of jazz ephemera, Fine Art and Asian Art, with fresh-to-market offerings sourced from notable estates and private collections.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

The November Gallery Auction presents an eclectic array of fine and decorative arts, including a notable collection of jazz ephemera alongside a diverse selection of modern and traditional works.

Fine Art

The Fine Art department is equally strong this season, with an oil on canvas by Harry Curieux Adams depicting ducks in flight, estimated at $15,000–$25,000, an acrylic on canvas by Peter Max, estimated at $5,000–$7,000, a vibrant mixed-media Pop Art composition by Romero Britto, estimated at $5,000–$7,000, and Voo Doo Musik, an acrylic on canvas by Davood Roostaei, estimated at $15,000–$25,000. Additional offerings include works by Julian Alden Weir, Bryan Wilson and other distinguished artists.

Asian Art

The Asian Works of Art department will feature two Jun Kaneko glazed ceramic sculptures and three Toko Shinoda lithographic prints from a prominent corporate collection. Kaneko, born in Nagoya in 1942, is celebrated for his monumental ceramic forms exploring the interplay of color, scale, and surface. Shinoda (1913–2021), a pioneering Japanese abstract artist, is acclaimed for merging calligraphic brushwork with modern abstraction, bridging the ancient and the contemporary.

The Warehouse Auction: November 22nd

Concluding the three-day series, Clars will host its popular Warehouse Auction on November 22nd. This engaging event offers an accessibly priced and eclectic collection encompassing modern and antique furniture, décor, silver, porcelain, glass, fashion, collectible toys, books, and Indigenous arts.

Highlights include costume jewelry and select pieces from The Carole Harris Collection and River Ranch, both known for their distinctive and curated styles. The sale also features notable offerings from the Asian Art section, including Japanese woodblock prints, ceramics, and folding screens — ideal for collectors seeking culturally significant works. The jewelry segment presents attractively priced diamond and silver necklaces, while the furniture and home décor offerings range from classic antiques to stylish mid-century and contemporary designs.

The Warehouse Auction provides the perfect opportunity for collectors, decorators, and new buyers to discover unique treasures at attainable price points.

Clars Auctions is pleased to announce its upcoming October Gallery Auction, taking place on Friday, October 17th, 9:30 AM PDT. This exciting event will feature a curated selection of Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Art, and Fine Jewelry & Watches, with fresh-to-market offerings sourced from notable estates and private collections.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

The Furniture & Decorative Arts department offers a distinguished selection of fine and decorative pieces that showcase centuries of global craftsmanship. Highlights include exceptional examples of European and American sterling silver, porcelain, glass, and contemporary works. Featured in the sale are an impressive pair of Sèvres-style gilt bronze mounted urns, estimated $4,000–$6,000, exquisite Meissen porcelain, and sterling silver by renowned makers such as French Odiot and Tiffany & Co., including a coveted sterling ‘Wave Edge’ flatware service, estimated $3,000–$5,000.

Also notable is a standout collection of fine guitars, including an A.C. Martin marked 0452, estimated $8,000–$10,000, and Washburn models. This property is being sold at public auction under Internal Revenue Code section 6335. Only the right, title, and interest of Hank Risan are offered for sale. The property is sold “as is, where is,” without recourse against the United States, which offers no guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding the condition or fitness of the property.

Complementing these are superb Arts & Crafts furniture pieces by Stickley and a selection of elegant slag glass lamps. Collectors will also discover an impressive range of pottery from Mata Ortiz, San Ildefonso, and the Hopi, featuring works by respected families including Navasie, Napeyo, and Lewis. Additional highlights include Fortuny silk light fixtures, a striking Minton majolica urn, a diverse array of contemporary glass, and a compelling collection of antiquities.

Fine Art

In Fine Art, Clars will showcase a diverse range of works representing different periods, styles, and regions, with offerings that promise to appeal to collectors at every level. One of the headline lots is a seasonally fitting screenprint by Pop Art icon Andy Warhol, titled The Witch (1981), featuring American actress Margaret Hamilton in her role as the Wicked Witch of the West from the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz. Part of Warhol’s Myths series, this screenprint embodies the artist’s fascination with American pop culture icons, with other works in the series depicting figures like Superman, Dracula, and Santa Claus. Though created nearly twenty years after his famed 1960s portraits, The Witch recalls the vibrant neon palette and strong visual contrasts of Warhol’s earlier pieces, particularly Marilyn Diptych. The addition of hand-drawn lines and the use of Warhol’s own photography make this piece a dynamic and layered work, carrying an estimate of $30,000–$50,000.

Another standout in the art category is Nude Series #2 by Vietnamese artist Tran Luu Hau (1928–2020), known for his bold brushwork and abstracted forms. This expressive painting presents a faceless female figure rendered in red with black outlines, set against a background that evokes a blurred camera lens, drawing the eye firmly to the figure itself. Tran, who began his career as a propaganda artist during the First Indochina War before training at the Viet Bac Fine Arts School, developed a deeply expressive style that bridges the figurative and the abstract. This work is estimated at $15,000–$20,000.

Also featured is a serene oil on canvas landscape by California painter Ray Strong (1905–2006), a key figure in the Works Progress Administration art movement of the 1930s. Strong’s work frequently captures the unique beauty of the California landscape, and the untitled painting offered in this auction appears to depict a view from Mount Tamalpais toward the Pacific Ocean. Golden hills dotted with greenery stretch toward a slate-blue sea partially obscured by low cloud cover, with the coastal town of Bolinas visible in the distance. This contemplative piece is estimated at $8,000–$12,000.

Further notable works in the October sale include two large canvases by Bay Area Figurative Movement painter Henrietta Berk, a bucolic genre scene by Belgian artist Évariste Carpentier, and a wide-ranging selection of contemporary paintings and prints.

Fine Jewelry & Watches

The Fine Jewelry & Watches department is proud to offer a glittering array of diamond, colored gemstone, and gold pieces in this month’s sale. The selection includes antique, rare, and signed jewelry, as well as wearable staples offered at accessible price points.

Among the standout offerings are a diamond and platinum brooch, estimated at $2,500–$3,500; a honey jade and 18k gold ring, estimated at $2,000– $3,000; and a striking emerald, white enamel, and 18k gold bangle with an estimate of $7,000–$10,000. Whether you’re seeking investment-grade pieces or elegant everyday adornments, this sale offers a compelling range of options.

The Warehouse Auction: October 18th

Clars will continue its exciting auction weekend with the Warehouse Auction on Saturday, October 18th, 9:30 AM PDT. This dynamic event offers a broad and eclectic mix of items across all categories, with approachable price points that appeal to both new buyers and seasoned collectors. The sale will include a diverse selection of art, prints, photographs, modern and antique furniture, silver, porcelain, glass, fashion, and decorative objects.

Highlights from the Asian Art section include Japanese woodblock prints, ceramics, and folding screens — ideal for those seeking culturally significant and visually striking pieces. The jewelry offering will feature an array of accessible diamond and silver items, while the furniture and home décor category will span both traditional and modern styles, along with collectible toys and unique curiosities.

A standout feature of this auction is Session II of an extraordinary collection of early jazz memorabilia. This session includes historic items such as an Ella Fitzgerald signed recording agreement with Clef Records, a rare handwritten music sheet by Charlie Christian, and a Billie Holiday signed contract to perform at the Loop Lounge in Cleveland in 1956. Also featured is a Surrogate’s Court order related to the estate of Billie Holiday and a collection of her original orchestral arrangement sheets. Additional highlights include memorabilia from jazz legends such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lester Young, Fats Waller, and others — making this an unmissable opportunity for music historians and collectors alike.

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.

On September 18th, Clars is pleased to present a special selection of outstanding fine art that will appeal to each and every collector in our Important Fine Art Auction.

First in our series of highlights is a ceramic and polystyrene sculptural vase by French modernist, Niki de Saint Phalle (1930–2002). Saint Phalle is best known for her large-scale Nana series of sculptures, which depicts voluptuous and colorfully painted women in a variety of poses. Her color-block painting technique is displayed in Serpent Vase (1986), which is formed by a coiled snake around a bowl. The piece is from an edition of seven and is estimated at $20,000–$25,000.

Also featured in the auction are two oils on canvas by Sri Lankan artist, Senaka Senanayake (b. 1951) — Untitled, estimated at $15,000–$25,000, and The Devotees, estimated at $10,000–$15,000. Both paintings date to the late 1960s and are exemplary of his work during this period, depicting figural groups in an Abstract Expressionist manner with emotive smears of rich color and thick, black linework.

The auction will also include two significant works on paper by the iconic modernist Marc Chagall (Belarusian/French, 1887–1985), celebrated for his dreamlike imagery and poetic use of color. Known for bridging Cubism, Symbolism, and Fauvism with a deeply personal visual language, Chagall’s work continues to resonate with collectors worldwide. Featured is Plate 1, from Four Tales from the Arabian Nights (1948), a vivid color lithograph that exemplifies Chagall’s fascination with folklore and fantasy. Signed and annotated “Pl. 1” in pencil, the work is numbered 65/90 and was published by Pantheon Books, New York. It carries an estimate of $15,000–$20,000. Also on offer is Daphnis and Chloe (1961), a lyrical lithograph in colors on Arches paper. Signed in pencil and numbered 26/60, this work (Mourlot 311) stems from Chagall’s celebrated suite inspired by the ancient Greek love story. With its fluid composition and romantic palette, it is similarly estimated at $15,000–$20,000.

Another highlight in the September Important Fine Art Auction is a large, mixed media piece by Italian-American modernist, Enrico Donati (1909–2008). Donati began his artistic career in the early 1940s after meeting with André Breton and other European Surrealists who were active in New York City during the period. Estimated at $8,000–$12,000 and one of four works to be offered, Donati’s Coptic Wall II (1978) is one such work that epitomizes his use of textured canvases.

In addition to the above highlighted works, we are offering paintings by Ira Yeager and Bibi Zogbe, prints by Wayne Thiebaud and Franz Marc, and a wealth of other exceptional pieces.