On May 15th in our Modern + Contemporary Fine Art Auction, we are thrilled to showcase an exceptional array of artwork from masters like Raimonds Staprans, Wayne Thiebaud, Joan Brown, Helen Frankenthaler, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso, and much more. The auction will begin at 10 AM PDT. Preview May 14th, 1–5 PM PDT.

This May 15th, Clars is excited to offer an outstanding oil on canvas painting by Latvian American artist Raimonds Staprans (b. 1926) in our Modern + Contemporary Fine Art Auction.

Upon moving to the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1950s, Staprans was quickly adopted by the art community in his chosen home and remains one of the foremost representatives of post-war California painting nationwide. Staprans is known for his large swaths of bright color, often playing with natural light and the perception of shape and texture, and his understated treatment of subject.

Current trends in the market show that the highly saturated paintings that Staprans perfected in the late 1980s and 1990s are increasingly popular with collectors. Clars has been successful with several of these pieces in the last five years, including a 1987 oil on canvas titled, Still Life with Red Piano Stool, which sold well over its estimate at $147,600 in 2020, and Blue Boats, a 1990 painting that sold for $187,500 in 2022. Still life depictions of food are among the most recognizable of Staprans’ motifs. Staprans’ highest record price was realized in 2023 for a 1995 still life depicting oranges, done in a vibrantly warm palette that is strikingly similar to the piece up for auction at Clars this May.

The scene takes place in a space unmarked by identifying objects, furnished with a stool-like drop-leaf table. The table’s edges and sides are traced with prismatic colors in a manner that leaves the viewer questioning if the color is painted on the posts and boards, or if the unseen sun is playing tricks on our eyes. The top of the table appears to be doused with direct sunlight, bright white and glowing against the orange background. To the viewer’s right, the sides of the table’s legs are cast in a sunset glow the same tangerine shade as the background. Sitting atop the table is a peeled apple, its sides angled and smoothed with a paring knife. The fruit casts a half-moon shadow that points toward the open leaf of the table and is echoed on each stretcher below.

This work, titled The Mid Summer Drop-Leaf Table (estimated at $60,000–$90,000), showcases Staprans’ skill in using color to portray light, perspective, and a specific atmosphere. The tones chosen in this composition evoke the warmth of the summer months, and the slant of the dazzling sunshine on the table and fruit leave us wondering if this is the end of a late-evening garden party, where a table full of fresh fruit has dwindled to a lone apple and the leaves are dropped one by one. This outstanding example of Staprans’ later work is a celebration of color and light, an ode to atmosphere, and will be a significant addition to any collection.

This April we are honored to present the extraordinary art collection of Lila Mae “Peggy” Azad — a woman whose lifelong devotion to the arts lives on through her legacy.

Peggy once wrote: “I am the temporary custodian. In exchange for the privilege of living with and caring for my objects I am leaving them all for a museum or art gallery for the ‘public’ to enjoy after Manouch and I are no longer alive.” Her wish was to ensure that her collection would one day be shared with the world.

This significant collection includes over 90 Chinese and Japanese ivory sculptures and more than 114 diverse works from around the globe — spanning American, Chinese, French, Iranian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Native American, Russian, Thai, and Vietnamese origins. The pieces vary in form and material, including porcelain, cloisonné, glass vases, plates, bowls, bronze and carved alabaster sculptures, a Russian brass samovar, Japanese woodblock prints, and hand-woven Iranian silk tapestry panels threaded with gold and silver.

Notably, the collection features works by renowned Iranian artists Parviz Tanavoli and Sia Armajani, reflecting Peggy’s deep connection to both international and Iranian art and culture.

Born on May 5, 1933, in her family’s home in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Jesse Joseph Schneider and Laura Harriette Ronning Schneider, Peggy — known to many simply as Peggy Azad — lived a life filled with purpose, passion, and artistic appreciation.

Consignments are now invited for our upcoming Modern + Contemporary Fine Art Auction on Thursday, May 15th.

Schedule an appointment today with one of our Fine Art Specialists. The deadline to consign is Friday, April 25th. To schedule your appointment, call (510) 428-0100 x 130 OR email [email protected].

Clars is excited to announce our upcoming Furniture, Art, Spring Jewelry & Fine Asian Auction on April 18th, with a special Warehouse Sale on April 19. This two-day event will showcase a stunning selection of rare and valuable items, with a special emphasis on Fine Asian Art.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

The Furniture & Decorative Arts portion of the April 18th auction will feature an impressive selection pieces. Highlights include an Alvar Aalto bentwood tea trolley, estimated at $2,500–$3,500, a pair of Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Swan chairs, estimated at $1,200–$1,800, and an American oak and brass fire alarm gong, estimated at $2,500–$3,500.

Other standout pieces include a collection of Santa Clara blackware and Ursula Morley Price stoneware bowls, showcasing a blend of modern design and traditional craftsmanship from various cultures. These selections will appeal to collectors of both contemporary and classic design, making the auction an exciting opportunity for furniture and decorative art aficionados.

Fine Jewelry & Watches

Clars is also thrilled to present its special Spring Fine Jewelry & Watches Auction on Friday, April 18th. As the largest quarterly sale for jewelry, this auction will feature an exquisite collection of high-end pieces, showcasing a diverse range of fine jewelry crafted from the world’s most sought-after gemstones and precious metals. Highlights include an antique diamond and silver-topped 14k gold brooch featuring extraordinary rose-cut diamonds, estimated at $10,000–$20,000, a Colombian emerald, seed pearl, diamond, and 18k gold necklace, estimated at $3,000–$5,000, and a striking color-changing alexandrite ring, estimated at $3,000–$6,000. The sale will also feature fine jade pieces, perfect for collectors with an appreciation for this timeless gemstone.

Additionally, a selection of rare, limited-edition Rolex watches will be showcased, adding to the prestige of this highly anticipated event. Whether you seek a standout addition to your collection or a one-of-a-kind gift, this sale offers something for every jewelry and timepiece enthusiast.

Asian Art

The April 18th auction will feature a carefully curated collection of exceptional Fine Asian Art, making this segment the standout highlight of the event. Collectors will have the rare opportunity to acquire some of the finest works in Chinese and Asian art. Highlights include an 18th-century pair of Chinese Huanghuali Southern official hat chairs, estimated at $20,000–$40,000, exemplifying the refined craftsmanship of one of China’s most prized hardwoods.

Also featured is an imperial 18th-century Qing dynasty yellow satin brocade robe, estimated at $30,000–$50,000. This custom-made garment was woven in gold and multi-colored threads for Tibetan nobility and is adorned with five-clawed dragons and cloud clusters, making it an extraordinary piece of Chinese textile art.

Additionally, a Ming dynasty polychrome wood figure of Guanyin will be offered, reflecting the serene beauty of traditional Chinese artistry. For collectors of contemporary Asian art, works by renowned Chinese-American artist Chuang Che, including his abstract oil on canvas Untitled Abstract Landscape, estimated at $10,000–$15,000, will be available. These exceptional pieces, showcasing the depth and beauty of Asian art, will be a focal point for serious collectors.

The Warehouse Auction: April 19th

The Warehouse auction on April 19th will offer an eclectic range of items at accessible price points. This sale will include a variety of art, prints, photographs, modern and antique furniture, silver, porcelain, glass, fashion, and decorative objects. Notable items in the Asian Art section will include Japanese woodblock prints, ceramics, and folding screens—perfect for collectors seeking to add unique pieces to their collections. The jewelry segment will feature a selection of affordable diamond and silver necklaces, while modern and antique furniture will be available at more accessible price points. Additional items include collectible toys, books, indigenous arts, and more, making this a diverse and exciting opportunity for buyers.

This March 21st at Clars Auctions, we will be featuring a curated assortment of artwork from a wide range of periods and locales.

From our own state of California, we have an oil on canvas by plein air painter Marion Kavanaugh Wachtel (American, 1876–1954). Wachtel was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and studied in Chicago before moving to California, where she studied under Scottish American master landscapist William Keith.

Keith’s influence coupled with her new surroundings inspired Wachtel to move away from portraiture and embrace landscape painting, focusing her attention on the mountains, coasts, and foliage of southern California. The painting in this month’s sale is titled Autumn, Trabuco Mountains, California, (estimate: $8,000–$12,000) and depicts the leaves changing color amidst the peak on the border of Orange and Riverside Counties.

This March 21st at Clars Auctions, we will be featuring a curated assortment of artwork from a wide range of periods and locales.

Starting in our own state of California, we have an oil on canvas by plein air painter Marion Kavanaugh Wachtel (American, 1876–1954). Wachtel was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and studied in Chicago before moving to California, where she studied under Scottish American master landscapist William Keith.

Keith’s influence coupled with her new surroundings inspired Wachtel to move away from portraiture and embrace landscape painting, focusing her attention on the mountains, coasts, and foliage of southern California. The painting in this month’s sale is titled Autumn, Trabuco Mountains, California, (estimate: $8,000–$12,000) and depicts the leaves changing color amidst the peak on the border of Orange and Riverside Counties.

Next in our selection of highlights this month is an oil on panel painting by contemporary Canadian artist Ambera Wellmann (Canadian, b. 1982). Wellmann is known for her surreal, collage-like painting techniques that evoke the work of earlier experimental painters like Francis Bacon and Max Ernst, often depicting hybrid bodies and intensely pigmented bacchanal-like scenes. These works regularly bring over $100,000 at auction, and Wellmann is currently represented by major contemporary art gallery Hauser & Wirth. In Wellmann’s early work, her mastery of blending color is apparent, as is her ability to access emotion in unexpected imagery. The piece featured at Clars this month is titled Cloud #7 (estimate: $8,000–$12,000) and dates to 2009. Wellmann presents a mass of gray and white clouds in varied tones moving against a cerulean sky while a hint of peachy, warm sun glows from behind the vapor.

A third feature in our March auction is a large-scale sculpture by German artist Wolfgang Stiller (German, b. 1961) titled Matchsticks (estimate: $5,000–$7,000). Stiller, whose first solo gallery show was in 1986, focuses his practice on objects and installations, often transforming familiar and ordinary items into uncanny and unsettling facsimiles. Among his ouvre are cast wax geodes, a recreation of a scientific laboratory inside a disused train car, and bronze baby heads fashioned into ginseng roots. The human head is a common point of inspiration for Stiller, and this is apparent in Matchsticks, in which three wood matchsticks are topped with hairless, male heads, burnt black and resembling medieval death masks in a kind of postmodern memento mori.

Also among the featured highlights in our March auction are works by Thomas Hill, Maurice Braun, John Frederick Kensett, Tavakol Esmaili and much more.

Clars is pleased to announce its upcoming March 21st Furniture, Art, Jewelry & Asian Auction, beginning 9:30 AM PDT. This highly anticipated sale will showcase an exceptional selection of rare and beautiful works, offering something for every collector, from fine antiques to contemporary masterpieces.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

The Furniture & Decorative Arts segment will feature a number of standout pieces. We’ll begin with a rare Northern Baroque carved altar table with tabernacle, dating to the late 17th century, estimated at $8,000–$12,000. Fully carved with biblical reserves, this exquisite table highlights the exceptional craftsmanship of the period.

Also featured is a Chamberlains Worcester armorial porcelain dinner service made for Sir Joseph Scott of Great Barr Hall, estimated at $4,000–$6,000. This early 19th-century set reflects the connection between the patron and the renowned Worcester factory.

Additional highlights include a pair of English polychrome decorated ironstone potpourri urns, valued at $1,800–$2,500, and a George I gilt bronze mounted ebonized bracket clock, by John Gerrard, estimated at $1,800–$2,500. With these and other fine offerings, the auction promises an impressive array of rare and historical pieces.

Fine Art

Clars’ Fine Art section will feature works from diverse periods and regions. A key highlight is Marion Kavanaugh Wachtel’s Autumn, Trabuco Mountains, California, a breathtaking oil on canvas capturing the changing colors of the leaves in the foothills of California’s mountains. The painting is estimated at $8,000–$12,000.

Ambera Wellmann’s surreal and emotionally charged Cloud #7, an oil on panel, offers an exploration of color and form and is estimated at $8,000–$12,000.

Other notable works include Wolfgang Stiller’s Matchsticks, a large-scale sculpture that blends the human form with everyday objects, valued at $5,000–$7,000, and pieces by celebrated artists such as Thomas Hill, Maurice Braun, and John Frederick Kensett.

Fine Jewelry & Watches

The Fine Jewelry & Watches Auction will feature a curated selection of exquisite jewelry pieces, from vintage watches to one-of-a-kind designs. Collectors can expect stunning gold jewelry, statement pieces, and timeless designs suited to a variety of tastes. With items ranging from elegant rings to bold necklaces and bracelets, this sale offers an opportunity for both seasoned collectors and newcomers to acquire pieces that reflect craftsmanship and style. In addition, vintage watch collectors will be delighted by the fine offerings available for bid.

Asian Art

The Asian Art department will showcase a range of rare and desirable items, including a 19th-century Chinese famille verte globular vase, decorated with the Eight Immortals, estimated at $1,000–$1,500.

Another exciting highlight is a Hirado blue and white trumpet form vase — featuring scholars beneath cranes and pine trees — and a watercolor and ink painting by Chiura Obata that captures the iconic landscape of the Carmel coast, estimated at $1,500–$2,500. These treasures reflect the depth and beauty of Asian artistry.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a first-time bidder, Clars Auctions invites you to join us for this exciting event, where beauty, history, and exceptional craftsmanship converge.

The Warehouse Auction: March 22nd

The Warehouse auction offers a dynamic and diverse selection of art, prints, and photographs, with each month featuring a curated mix of paintings, sculptures, and works from across the globe, all with accessible estimates. The Asian Art section will showcase a thoughtfully curated array, including Japanese woodblock prints, ceramics, folding screens, and other fine decorative items. In the Jewelry department, we are thrilled to present a range of affordable pieces, from diamonds to silver and gold necklaces. Additionally, The Warehouse boasts an accessibly priced collection that encompasses modern and antique furniture and décor, silver, porcelain, glass, fashion, collectible toys, books, and indigenous arts.

Our Modern + Contemporary Fine Art Auction on February 20th will feature many exceptional works by renowned artists. One of the standout pieces is Vote McGovern (1972), an iconic screenprint by Andy Warhol, estimated $30,000–$50,000.

This politically charged work from 1972 reinterprets a photograph of Richard Nixon, using a vivid color palette that references First Lady Pat Nixon’s dress. The unsettling portrait, created to support George McGovern’s presidential campaign, is a striking example of Warhol’s ability to blend art with political activism.

Our Modern + Contemporary Fine Art Auction on February 20th will feature many exceptional works by renowned artists. One of the standout pieces is The Summit Conference (1986), an oil painting by John Alexander estimated at $30,000–$50,000.

Known for his atmospheric depictions of the Gulf Coast’s bayou landscapes, Alexander infuses his paintings with surrealist elements, such as skeletons in formal wear and masked figures. The work on offer features two baboons facing off against one another, with intense, expressive brushstrokes suggesting a deeper political commentary during the tense era of the Reykjavik Summit talks between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev.