This August at Clars we are excited to offer a collection of fine souvenirs, ephemera and art from the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) in San Francisco.

Decorative Arts – August 17th

The Warehouse Auction is offering an extensive and fine private collection of items from the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) in San Francisco. The collection includes original glass Novagems, sterling trophies, exhibit items, enamel pins, and watch fobs, as well as Panama Canal memorabilia. Felt pennants, photographs, and presentation articles related to exposition president Charles C Moore, San Francisco mayor James Rolph, Jr., and United States President William Howard Taft are also available. Complementing the historical collection, this monthly sale also boasts a wide array of contemporary and antique furniture, decorative arts, and rugs.

Fine Art – August 16th

On August 16th at Clars Auctions we are excited to feature a collection of unique and stunning illustrations created for stage scenery set designs. These designs are a rare and remarkable find and are in excellent condition over 100 years after their construction. The collection includes dozens of gouache set designs for stage productions — hand painted on paper with velvet and wood accents — as well as printed mock-ups and original Charles F. Thompson lightboxes used for display.

The company responsible for these models, the Charles F. Thompson Scenic Company, was based in Hollywood, California and was a respected producer of fine set design. The highly detailed illustrations include architectural elements from Greco-Roman columns to fanciful Art Deco configurations reminiscent of the Emerald City in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Other selections from this group include adjustable greenery and curtains, surreal figural scenes, and modern cityscapes showing streets lined with early 20th century high-rises, department stores, and colorful advertisements for ice cream shops and radios.

A charming aspect of several of these models is their semi-transparent construction which can be enjoyed using a lightbox. When placed in front of a backlighting device, the buildings’ windows, streetlights, and neon signs glow with a naturalistic luminosity that imbues the once-lifeless designs with a romantic sense of nostalgia.

Another standout among the collection is a beautiful three-panel rendering of the Tower of Jewels, a grand structure that was built specially for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition and was demolished shortly after its end. The Tower was built using staff — a mixture of plaster and burlap — with jewel-toned glass panels that were illuminated from the inside and cast a colorful radiance over the courtyard. In this illustration, the Tower is depicted in meticulous detail with applied glitter detail highlighting the tiered pinnacle. A palatial fountain decorates the courtyard, and visitors marvel at their surroundings. The ephemeral nature of the Tower of Jewels makes depictions like this one, painted during its metaphorical lifetime, a precious and historic artefact. Each of these renderings is an exquisite fragment of early 20th century American artistry and a memento of a treasured moment in the history of San Francisco.

Clars is excited to present our Jewelry, Furniture, Art & Fine Asian Auction on Friday, August 16th, starting at 9:30 AM PDT. Highlights include striking jewelry, Indigenous art, emotive artworks, and Chinese ink paintings.

Fine Jewelry & Timepieces

The Jewelry portion of the auction features an exquisite collection of both antique and contemporary jewelry, perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your summer wardrobe. Highlights include remarkable Art Deco pieces, such as a diamond and 14k white gold bracelet and rock crystal brooch, estimated at $700–$900; a diamond and 14k white gold engagement ring with guard, estimated at $500–$700; and an Art Deco diamond and 14k white gold pin, estimated at $150–$250.

In addition, we will offer stunning items like a pair of cultured pearl, diamond, platinum, and white gold day/night clip earrings, estimated at $8,000–$12,000; an emerald and 14k gold necklace, estimated at $5,000–$7,000; and multi-color sapphire, diamond, and 18k gold hoop earrings, estimated at $3,000–$4,000. Other notable pieces include an amethyst and 14k gold necklace, estimated at $3,000–$5,000; a tanzanite, diamond, and 18k white gold ring, estimated at $2,000–$3,000; a mabé cultured pearl, diamond, and 18k gold earring and ring set, estimated at $1,200–$1,800; a multi-hue South Sea cultured pearl and 14k gold necklace, estimated at $1,200–$1,800; and a Tiger Eye Men’s Ring, estimated at $1,200–$1,800.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

The gallery sale will showcase a diverse array of items, including silver, porcelain, glass, furniture, Indigenous art, and carpets. Among the standout pieces are collections of Meissen porcelain and contemporary Inuit masks of substantial size, as well as a finely carved Renaissance cabinet and a Louis XVI style brass inlaid roll-top secretary desk. Additionally, classic furniture selections from Old Hickory and McGuire will complement the sale.

Fine Art

This August, Clars is delighted to feature a variety of works by international artists in painting, sculpture, and printmaking. A highlight of the auction is an oil on canvas by Dutch painter Barend Cornelis Koekkoek, known as the Prince of Landscape Painting. Koekkoek, a prominent figure in Dutch Romanticism, created lush, light-infused landscapes that captivated royalty and influenced later artists. The painting in our auction depicts travelers strolling through a verdant countryside, with natural light casting dramatic pink and golden hues.

Another notable piece is by modern American artist Jane Wilson, known for her expressionist landscapes. Wilson’s work, including the 1955 painting Summer Breakfast, blends elements of expressionism with her Midwestern background. This piece portrays a contemplative scene of two women at breakfast — reflecting the moody, emotive quality characteristic of Wilson’s style.

Also featured is a bronze sculpture by Native American artist, Doug Hyde. Born of Assiniboine, Nez Perce, and Ojibwe heritage, Hyde’s work often draws from indigenous mythology and history. The bronze sculpture, titled Hopi Butterflies, captures a group of women in traditional dress engaged in conversation, showcasing Hyde’s modernized yet respectful interpretation of indigenous subjects.

Fine Asian Art

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.

The Warehouse Auction

The Warehouse auction is offering an extensive and fine private collection of items from the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) in San Francisco. The collection includes original glass Novagems, sterling trophies, exhibit items, enamel pins, and watch fobs, as well as Panama Canal memorabilia. Felt pennants, photographs, and presentation articles related to exposition president Charles C Moore, San Francisco mayor James Rolph, Jr., and United States President William Howard Taft, are also available. Complementing the historical collection, this monthly sale also boasts a wide array of contemporary and antique furniture, decorative arts, and rugs.

Also on offer will be 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 Asian Art Department presents a meticulously curated collection spanning Japanese woodblock prints, ceramics, folding screens, and various decorative pieces. Meanwhile, the Jewelry department is thrilled to present an array of affordable items, including diamonds, silver and gold necklaces.

Clars is now seeking Important Fine Art consignments for our upcoming Fall auction. Schedule your private and confidential appointment now to speak to one of our Fine Art Specialists to determine your item’s auction potential.

Explore a rich variety of collectibles at Clars’ July 19th auction, featuring Jewelry, Furniture, Fine Art, and Asian works. Highlights include contemporary and vintage watches, exquisite gemstones, and a range of European and modern furnishings.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

Notable pieces such as a Napoleon III gilt bronze boulle cabinet and iconic Eames chairs will be up for auction. Of particular interest are eight tole hanging lanterns, originally refurbished by Caldwell & Co. for Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Mar-a-Lago, once owned by Donald Trump and previously sold at Christie’s in 1995.

Fine Jewelry & Timepieces

This sale will showcase a stunning collection of diamonds, timepieces, antique jewelry, and Art Deco pieces.

Fine Art

A notable feature of this auction is the Art & Photography Collection from the Estate of Professor Raymond Lifchez of Berkeley, California. Professor Lifchez, who served over 50 years as a Professor Emeritus of Architecture and City & Regional Planning at the University of California, Berkeley, was a pioneering advocate for accessible design education. The collection includes works by renowned photographers such as Ruth Bernhard, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Harry Callahan, Robert Capa, and others, reflecting Lifchez’s profound impact on design and education.

Asian Art

The Asian Art department will showcase a compelling collection of Buddha figures, including a Burmese gilt lacquered wood figure and a standing Burmese wood figure. Additionally, standout items include a Chinese cloisonné enamel dragon wash basin and various porcelain pieces.

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 Warehouse boasts an affordably priced collection that encompasses modern and antique furniture and décor, silver, porcelain, glass, fashion, collectible toys, books, and indigenous arts.

The Asian Art Department presents a curated collection in our July 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.

Clars is pleased to offer the Art & Photography Collection from the Estate of Professor Raymond Lifchez (Berkeley, California).

Lifchez was Professor Emeritus of Architecture and City & Regional Planning at the University of California, Berkeley for over 50 years. Lifchez made a deep and lasting impact on teaching, advocacy for accessible design and was a pioneer in incorporating accessibility/disability justice into design education.

Photographers to be featured include: Ruth Bernhard, Manual Alvarez Bravo, Harry Callahan, Robert Capa, Keith Carter, Robert Doisneau, Horst P. Horst, Michael Kenna, Joanne Leonard, Sally Mann, Nicholas Nixon, Bill Owens, Man Ray, Leo Rubinfien, Anna Draper Shaw, Garry Winogrand, and Max Yavno.

Clars is excited to present our Important Summer Fine Art Sale on June 20th, commencing at 10 AM PDT. The sale is bursting with exceptional artwork from iconic creators such as Salvador Dalí, Roy Lichtenstein and Aaron Douglas.

One of the most exciting pieces in this month’s Important Summer Fine Art Sale is a never-before-sold oil on canvas painting by world-renowned Spanish Surrealist, Salvador Dalí. Over the course of the early to mid-twentieth century, Dalí established himself as perhaps the most celebrated of the Surrealist painters, famous for both his instantly recognizable visual style and for his eccentric personality and antics. The painting in this month’s sale, titled Portrait of Mrs. Luther Greene, is an oil on canvas that was commissioned by the sitter’s husband in New York City in 1942 — the year of the artist’s first retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art.

The portrait depicts the patron seated in the foreground, wrapped in a red robe. Behind her is a classic, Dalíesque desert landscape with two figures standing in the distance. An amorphous hill on the far right is dotted with buildings — resembling a forgotten ghost town — and a small boat sits beached by the shore on the far left. This exemplary piece is accompanied by the preliminary sketches done by the artist in preparation for the painting.

Another noteworthy piece in the sale is a serigraph by American Pop art pioneer, Roy Lichtenstein. Lichtenstein was one of the most prominent figures to come out of the Pop Art movement and is most known for his comic strip-inspired paintings, prints, and sculptures. The print featured in the June sale is titled Reverie and dates to 1965. Pictured is a young woman with blonde hair and a melancholy expression, holding a microphone while a speech bubble over her head reads the lyrics, “The melody haunts my reverie.” This lyric — taken from the song Stardust by Tin Pan Alley musicians Hoagy Carmichael and Mitchell Parish — was written in 1927 and popularized during the 1930s big band era. The retro feel of the imagery is characteristic of Lichtenstein’s work, as is the comic-style dot work, bold color, and thick, black lines. Reverie was created for a portfolio, titled 11 Pop Artists published by Original Editions, that included 2 other prints by the artist as well as prints by Andy Warhol, Tom Wesselman, and other major names in the Pop Art movement.

A third striking highlight in our sale is an oil on canvas painting by key Harlem Renaissance figure, Aaron Douglas. Douglas is widely known for the murals he was commissioned to paint in several high-profile locations. These locations included several Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the Harlem YMCA, and one of his most acclaimed works, Aspects of Negro Life, at the New York Public Library in Harlem. Douglas worked with writers Alain Locke and W.E.B. Du Bois, and had illustrations included in publications like Vanity Fair, the NAACP journal The Crisis, and Opportunity: A Journal of Negro Life among others. Douglas developed a distinctive, graphic style that combined the aesthetic exploration of modernism with more traditional African subject matter. He often used bold color and evocative light sources with leafy foliage and human figures in silhouette. These figures are at times depicted in an African village or tribal setting, dancing, holding spears, or traversing a jungle-like landscape.

In other instances, figures are shown in American cityscapes, holding industrial tools with skyscrapers looming in the distance, or playing brass instruments in bands. The work in our June sale shows three silhouetted human figures holding spears and chasing five bison-like animals through an abstracted environment that uses the interplay between color and light to mimic an earthly landscape while remaining nonobjective. Douglas’s approach marries the celebratory aspects of Harlem Renaissance figuration with an Orphism-inspired understanding of color theory that creates a composition in which movement and light become as intrinsic to the material as paint and canvas.

In addition to the aforementioned works, we are also pleased to offer abstract sculptures by Claire Falkenstein, a life-size bronze gown by Karen LaMonte, a suite of six bullfighting paintings by LeRoy Neiman, an abstract expressionist oil by Tancredi Parmeggiani, and much more in our Important Summer Fine Art Sale on June 20th.

This Summer at Clars we are excited to offer a 1963 Porsche 356 B 1600 Coupe in stunning Champagne Yellow, serial number 211 947, with engine number P609 601 at our Classic Car and Automobilia Auction on July 18th.

This car boasts approximately 65,000 original miles and features its original interior, engine, transmission, and drivetrain. The original invoice and comprehensive service records are included with this lot. The 1963 Porsche 356 B 1600 Coupe epitomizes Porsche’s early commitment to automotive excellence and is celebrated for its timeless design, exceptional engineering, and significant place in automotive history.

Alongside the 1963 Porsche 356 B 1600 Coupe, there will be 356 rare and original Porsche parts, signed Formula 1 helmets, car models, an early fuel pump, Ferrari and other dealer signage, a 1983 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL with 167,000 miles, a fully restored 1966 Dodge Charger with 383 engine and 87,000 miles, and vintage and newer lithographs offered at the auction.

A striking highlight in our Important Summer Fine Art Sale is an oil on canvas painting by key Harlem Renaissance figure, Aaron Douglas. Douglas is widely known for the murals he was commissioned to paint in several high-profile locations.

These locations included several Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the Harlem YMCA, and one of his most acclaimed works, Aspects of Negro Life, at the New York Public Library in Harlem. Douglas worked with writers Alain Locke and W.E.B. Du Bois, and had illustrations included in publications like Vanity Fair, the NAACP journal The Crisis, and Opportunity: A Journal of Negro Life among others. Douglas developed a distinctive, graphic style that combined the aesthetic exploration of modernism with more traditional African subject matter. He often used bold color and evocative light sources with leafy foliage and human figures in silhouette. These figures are at times depicted in an African village or tribal setting, dancing, holding spears, or traversing a jungle-like landscape.

In other instances, figures are shown in American cityscapes, holding industrial tools with skyscrapers looming in the distance, or playing brass instruments in bands. The work in our June sale shows three silhouetted human figures holding spears and chasing five bison-like animals through an abstracted environment that uses the interplay between color and light to mimic an earthly landscape while remaining nonobjective. Douglas’s approach marries the celebratory aspects of Harlem Renaissance figuration with an Orphism-inspired understanding of color theory that creates a composition in which movement and light become as intrinsic to the material as paint and canvas.

In addition to the aforementioned work, we are also pleased to offer abstract sculptures by Claire Falkenstein, a life-size bronze gown by Karen LaMonte, a suite of six bullfighting paintings by LeRoy Neiman, an abstract expressionist oil by Tancredi Parmeggiani, and much more in our Important Summer Fine Art Sale on June 20th.

A noteworthy piece in our Important Summer Fine Art Sale is a serigraph by American Pop art pioneer, Roy Lichtenstein. Lichtenstein was one of the most prominent figures to come out of the Pop Art movement and is most known for his comic strip-inspired paintings, prints, and sculptures.

The print featured in the June sale is titled Reverie and dates to 1965. Pictured is a young woman with blonde hair and a melancholy expression, holding a microphone while a speech bubble over her head reads the lyrics, “The melody haunts my reverie.” This lyric — taken from the song Stardust by Tin Pan Alley musicians Hoagy Carmichael and Mitchell Parish — was written in 1927 and popularized during the 1930s big band era. The retro feel of the imagery is characteristic of Lichtenstein’s work, as is the comic-style dot work, bold color, and thick, black lines. Reverie was created for a portfolio, titled 11 Pop Artists published by Original Editions, that included 2 other prints by the artist as well as prints by Andy Warhol, Tom Wesselman, and other major names in the Pop Art movement.

In addition to the aforementioned work, we are also pleased to offer abstract sculptures by Claire Falkenstein, a life-size bronze gown by Karen LaMonte, a suite of six bullfighting paintings by LeRoy Neiman, an abstract expressionist oil by Tancredi Parmeggiani, and much more in our Important Summer Fine Art Sale on June 20th.

This June at Clars Auctions we are thrilled to present a sale that is bursting with exceptional artwork from iconic creators. One of the most exciting pieces in this month’s Important Summer Fine Art Sale is a never-before-sold oil on canvas painting by world-renowned Spanish Surrealist, Salvador Dalí.

Over the course of the early to mid-twentieth century, Dalí established himself as perhaps the most celebrated of the Surrealist painters, famous for both his instantly recognizable visual style and for his eccentric personality and antics. The painting in this month’s sale, titled Portrait of Mrs. Luther Greene, is an oil on canvas that was commissioned by the sitter’s husband in New York City in 1942 — the year of the artist’s first retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art.

The portrait depicts the patron seated in the foreground, wrapped in a red robe. Behind her is a classic, Dalíesque desert landscape with two figures standing in the distance. An amorphous hill on the far right is dotted with buildings — resembling a forgotten ghost town — and a small boat sits beached by the shore on the far left. This exemplary piece is accompanied by the preliminary sketches done by the artist in preparation for the painting.

In addition to the aforementioned work, we are also pleased to offer abstract sculptures by Claire Falkenstein, a life-size bronze gown by Karen LaMonte, a suite of six bullfighting paintings by LeRoy Neiman, an abstract expressionist oil by Tancredi Parmeggiani, and much more in our Important Summer Fine Art Sale on June 20th.