Clars is thrilled to host their Spring Fine Jewelry and Timepieces Auction on Friday, April 14th, beginning at 9:30 AM PDT. The sale includes a fine selection of colored gemstones, diamonds, antique and signed jewelry, and timepieces.

The sale is highlighted by exceptional gemstones, including an approximately 12-carat Colombian emerald diamond and eighteen-karat gold ring, estimated at $10,000–$20,000; a pair of Victorian Colombian emerald and diamond earrings, estimated at $5,000–$7,000; a natural pearl, diamond, and platinum necklace, estimated at $6,000–$8,000; an unheated Burma ruby, diamond, and fourteen-karat gold ring, estimated at $15,000–$20,000; and an unheated Ceylon sapphire, diamond, and platinum ring, estimated at $15,000–$20,000.

Complementing the auction will be a selection of exquisite diamond jewelry, including an antique diamond and eighteen-karat gold ring, estimated at $2,000–$4,000; a diamond and fourteen-karat white gold bracelet, estimated at $15,000–$20,000; and a diamond and eighteen-karat white gold revière necklace, estimated at $30,000–$40,000.

Maker Mario Buccellati is represented in a pair of cultured pearl and eighteen-karat bi-color gold ear clips and clip brooch suite, estimated at $4,000–$6,000. Another noteworthy piece of the sale is an eighteen-karat gold Byzantine link chain necklace by Fred, estimated at $4,000–$6,000. Also featured in this sale are two brooches by Cubism pioneer, Georges Braque, estimated at $5,000–$7,000 and $4,000–$6,000.

Another feature of the sale is a selection of timepieces led by an eighteen-karat gold automatic wristwatch, Day-Date, Audemars Piguet, estimated at $8,000–$12,000; an eighteen-karat gold wristwatch, 150th Anniversary Perpetual, Ulysse Nardin, estimated at $12,000–$18,000; an eighteen-karat white gold wristwatch, Patek Phillipe, estimated at $5,000–$7,000; and a diamond and eighteen-karat gold wristwatch, Tank Francaise, Cartier, estimated at $5,000–$7,000.

Clars’ March 17th and 18th auctions will offer beautiful Chinese watercolor paintings, fine works of art ranging from El Greco to Andy Warhol, rare gold and silver coins and bars, and a nice selection of diamond jewelry in time for bridal season.

Asian Art

On March 18th, Clars’ Asian Art department will present two fine modern Chinese watercolor landscape paintings. The first painting is by Ou Haonian (b. 1935) and depicts Taipei, Taiwan’s Mount Shamao. The second painting is of a village scene and is attributed to 20th century Chinese watercolor master, Li Keran (1907–1989).

Both paintings hail from the estate of Albert and Aiko Hyderman. Albert Hyderman (1899–1992) was a successful businessman and art collector. Hyderman was the owner of P. Wiest and Son department store in York, Pennsylvania. Hyderman was also a close friend and patron of Thomas Hart Benton, the regionalist painter from Missouri. Upon his retirement, Albert and his family spent many winters residing in Italy and ultimately in Hong Kong, where he collected numerous famous Chinese watercolor paintings.

Fine Arts

This March at Clars, we will be offering an intriguing piece from the circle of Domḗnikos Theotokópoulos, better known as El Greco, one of the leading figures of Spanish Renaissance painting. El Greco is known for his mannerist modeling of figures, sfumato color palette, and expressionistic compositions which were underappreciated in his own time but have since found recognition for their innovation in the modern era. The piece in our March auction is an oil on canvas painting depicting Christ carrying the cross surrounded by Roman soldiers. Spanish art historian, Manuel B. Cossio, an expert on the artist who published the defining treatise on his life and work in 1908, affirmed in a letter dating to 1930 that this depiction of Christ is an original by El Greco.

Furthermore, figures in this painting are replicated in other works known to be painted by El Greco, including the figure on horseback, as seen in Saint Martin and the Beggar, and the soldier on the far right, who is seen again in The Martyrdom of Saint Maurice. The work in our March sale, ascribed to the circle of El Greco, is estimated at $20,000–$40,000.

Also to be featured in our March auction, is a mixed media piece by Bay Area figure, Roy De Forest. De Forest moved from Washington State to the Bay Area during the 1950s, where he earned two art degrees and began teaching. While working at U.C. Davis, De Forest and his peers exhibited under the heading of Funk Art, and later began the Nut Art movement, which embraced humor and eccentricity. The piece in this month’s auction displays De Forest’s signature use of bright color and faux-naif style, with saturated objects decorating the paper in a seemingly random and playful configuration. This piece by Roy De Forest is estimated at $6,000–$9,000.

A third highlight in our March auction is a bronze sculpture by American artist, Douglas Van Howd, known for his portrayals of the American West. This sculpture, titled Friends of Freedom, depicts a golden eagle leaping from the arm of an Apache man, who stands on a base of genuine petrified wood. First received by Ronald Reagan after being created for the Roosevelt Room of the White House in 1982, this piece comes from an edition of 50. Van Howd’s Western-themed artworks have earned him a following both within and outside of the United States, with Friends of Freedom being a favorite among collectors. This sculpture by Douglas Van Howd is estimated at $10,000–$15,000.

A work on paper by American Pop Art icon, Andy Warhol, is also being offered on March 17th. The mixed media piece shows an ice cream cone with scoops of red, pink, and white ice cream atop a cone that is decorated with playful line work reminiscent of Art Nouveau design. This work is one in a series of ice cream themed designs drawn by Warhol during the 1950s and was likely inspired by the collaborative coloring parties that the burgeoning artist would host at Serendipity 3, the New York dessert café at which he was a lifelong patron. This work by Andy Warhol is estimated at $25,000–$35,000.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

Clars is pleased to offer the largest single owner precious metals collection in the gallery’s history. This collection includes uncirculated gold coins, silver bars, silver coins, and presentation coins, some in unopened containers. In all, close to forty lots are expected to bring more than $750,000. This collection will be a highlight of our fine silver and virtu being offered on March 18th.

Fine Jewelry & Timepieces

The Fine Jewelry & Timepieces department at Clars Auction Gallery is excited to offer a selection of diamond, colored gemstone and gold jewelry, in their upcoming March 17th sale.

This sale features a variety of wardrobe staples to build up the foundation of your jewelry collection at accessible price points. A nice selection of diamond jewelry, in time for bridal season, includes a diamond and fourteen karat gold bracelet, estimated at $2,000–$4,000, and a diamond and fourteen karat white gold reviére necklace, estimated at $4,000–$6,000. A colorful gemstone selection, including a pair of ruby, diamond and eighteen karat white gold earrings, estimated at $1,500–$2,500, and an untreated black opal, diamond and sapphire ring, estimated at $3,000–$5,000, will be offered. Other wearable timepieces that will highlight your everyday life are represented by an eighteen karat gold wristwatch, Chronograph, Hamilton, estimated at $800–$1,200, and a titanium wristwatch, Porsche Design, estimated at $800–$1,200.

Clars’ Fine Jewelry & Timepieces department had a successful year, offering beautiful diamond, colored gemstone, gold and signed jewelry and timepieces spanning antique to contemporary. The sales included essential everyday luxury as well as fine and important jewelry and timepieces.

Spring Highlights

The Fine Jewelry & Timepieces department’s crowning lot of 2022 was a Rolex Daytona chronograph wristwatch, which realized $75,000 at the Spring Fine Jewelry & Timepieces Sale. The Rolex Daytona timepiece was designed to meet the needs of racecar drivers, allowing them to gauge average speed and track elapsed time.

The February Fine Jewelry & Timepieces Auction was headlined by a diamond and eighteen karat white gold strap bracelet — an unforgettable Valentine’s Day gift — which sold for $37,500.

Summer Highlights

Ruby and gold statement necklaces proved to be popular jewelry staples for clients in Clars’ Summer auctions.

Highlights that stood out include a ruby and twenty-two karat gold necklace, which sold for $5,312.50, and a Southeast Asian ruby and high karat gold necklace, which sold for $9,375.

Fall Highlights

A striking blue moonstone and diamond earring and necklace suite realized $8,268.75 in the September auction. Both pieces are comprised of oval cabochon blue moonstones accented by single-cut diamonds.

Clars’ Fine Collectors Auction in November showcased numerous beautiful jewelry lots. One highlight that stood out in particular was a Burle Marx opal and eighteen karat gold brooch, which sold for $4,687.50.

Winter Highlights

Clars’ Winter Fine Jewelry & Timepieces Auction rounded out the 2022 year with numerous noteworthy sales. Favorites of the sale include a diamond and white gold brooch and diamond ear clips by Van Cleef & Arpels.

Since its inception, nature has been a source of inspiration for Van Cleef & Arpels’ creations. In particular, floral motifs have been seen again and again in their pieces.

Another highlight of the Winter Fine Jewelry & Timepieces Auction was a stunning diamond ring designed as a round brilliant-cut diamond, which sold for $46,875.

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.

2022 saw wonderful auction results at Clars, with outstanding Asian Art sales throughout the year.

Winter Highlights

Starting off the year strong, Clars’ Asian Art department sold a pair of Chinese doucai enameled globular vases for $87,500 in January. Each vase is painted on the exterior with eight bats amidst stylized lotus petals all between ornate scrolling lotus and vine patterns.

Another highlight from the January sale is represented by the Chinese huanghuali corner leg table, which sold for $93,750. With small supply of wood, the availability of furniture made from it is limited. The highly figured, honey-hued wood has long been appreciated for its mountain peak and ghost face patterns. Huanghuali furniture can be incorporated into any type of decor to create a more traditional Chinese style in your home, or you can choose to mix and match with more contemporary decor.

Spring Highlights

A finely molded Dingyao bowl, featuring lotus and other aquatic plants, headlined Clars’ April Asian Art Auction. The beautiful piece did not disappoint, selling for $100,000. The Song dynasty bowl was acquired from the late Chingwah Lee Collection of San Francisco and sold at Sotheby’s Los Angeles Fine Oriental Art Sale on June 8th, 1981.

The furniture portion of the April sale was highlighted by a pair of 18th century huanghuali horseshoe-back armchairs. The armchairs feature decorative carved panels on the backs with auspicious floral groupings and mythical creatures. The armchairs were a sought after piece and ended up being the top lot of the sale, selling at $200,000.

Summer Highlights

Dozens of telephone bidders vyed for two Chinese imperial bronze ‘dragon’ vases. These vases soared well above estimate to realize a price of $245,000. Each features five-clawed dragons in pursuit of flaming pearls amid scrolling clouds in low relief. The precision and intricacy of the molding indicates the imperial origin, while the patina on the surface demonstrates the age.

Fall Highlights

A strong San Francisco Bay Area collection of archer’s rings led the Asian Art portion of Clars’ Fine Collectors Auction on November 20th. The sale included nearly 40 lots of imperial quality white jade, celadon jade, jadeite, agate, glass, enamel, and various organic material archer’s rings. The collector acquired this impressive collection throughout 1970s to 1990s from various important dealers and estates in the Bay Area, including Ching Wah Lee, Herb Newman, and Sandra Sakata, among others.

2022 saw wonderful auction results at Clars, with outstanding Fine Art sales doing 42% of total sales for the fiscal year that wrapped in August.

Spring Highlights

Clars set a US auction record for the artist Loie Hollowell (American, b. 1983) with the sale of her 2017 painting, Point of Entry (Blood-Orange Moon Over Orange Sac), that soared above estimates of $400,000–$600,000 to sell for $1,050,000 on March 25 (all prices noted here include buyer’s premium).

Pieces by iconic artists such as Robert Longo (American, b. 1953), Roy Lichtenstein, David Hockney, Wayne Thiebaud, Salvador Dali, Sol Lewitt and Richard Diebenkorn brought strong results for the sale as well. Especially noteworthy was Robert Longo’s lithograph, Gretchen, from 1984, which realized $59,375.

The second highest selling lot of the sale was a rare drawing by Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973) titled, Etudes VII (d’apres Manet). Many international bidders vied for the lot but in the end it sold to a buyer in San Francisco for $150,000.

Summer Highlights

Clars was pleased to establish the new, world auction record for Raimonds Staprans (American/Latvian, b. 1926) with the painting, Blue Boats, selling for $187,500. This beat the previous record held by Clars from September 2020 of $147,600.

Also of note was a rare collection of four works by Leonor Fini (French/Argentine, 1908–1996) that were offered at Clars Modern + Contemporary sale on June 17th. This combined collection sold for an astounding $250,625 with one particular painting, Zorniga, selling for $187,500.

Fall Highlights

Clars’ Fall Modern + Contemporary Art + Design sale on September 16th started off the season with impressive results having 230 lots achieve a little over $1.3 million in sales. Fine Art led the way with $1.1 million in sales with the highlight being Andy Warhol’s complete set of ten screenprints, Cowboys and Indians, selling for $503,750. Rick Unruh, Clars CEO, remarked, “Clars is definitely ‘moving up the ladder’ in being recognized internationally as one of the premier auction houses for Modern and Contemporary works. This past auction was our 3rd complete set of Warhols to be offered in the last 2 years — all with outstanding results.”

Another stellar performance in the sale is represented by several Pumpkin screenprints by Yayoi Kusama (Japanese, b. 1929) selling for a combined price of $108,750.

Winter Highlights

Clars’ Fine Collectors Auction rounded out the 2022 year with the sale of an iconic work from Tom Wesselmann’s series, Great American Nude, titled The Great American Nude #13 for $162,500. The work is an early example of the series, which he completed in 1973 with number #100. The work demonstrates the artist’s use of bold color and military imagery, along with his famous female nude form — the recurring subject throughout his career.

Clars is starting Spring with our Design Auction, to be held on March 16, 2023. Highlights include pieces by Hans Wegner, Stan Bitters, Toshiko Takaezu, Gertrud and Otto Natzler, George Nakashima, Charles and Ray Eames, among others. There will also be a selection of silver including Christofle and Tiffany.

Click here to Subscribe to our Modernism e-mail list.

The Spring Design Auction will have numerous highlights across genres and countries. On offer will be a fine selection of pottery and ceramics including a Stan Bitters medallion, 3’2″dia., estimated at $12,000–$15,000. Bitters is renowned for his influence on the Californian arts and crafts scene since the 1960s.

Another prominent lot in the auction is a large Gertud and Otto Natzler bowl, which has a fine blue-grey mat glaze and measures 12.75″w. The bowl is valued conservatively at $5,000–$7,000. Other ceramicists in the sale include Toshiko Takaezu, Ka-Kwong Hui, Annabeth Rosen, Richard Hirsch, Brother Thomas Bezanson, etc.

There will be numerous furniture highlights in the auction, including a Michel Buffet floor lamp, expected to sell for $7,000–$10,000. Also, to be offered are several lots by designer Hans J. Wegner such as a set of eight ‘Heart’ Chairs estimated at $4,200–$5,200, a rare pair of JH-101 Lounge chairs and JH-103 Sofa, among others. In addition, there will be a pair of Finn Juhl NV-45’s offered, with an estimate of $20,000–$30,000.

For American furniture, there will be a Philip and Kelvin Laverne Fantasia coffee table, estimated at $5,000–$7,000, a Charles and Ray Eames 670 and 671 lounge chair and ottoman, and an Ettore Sottsass Westside lounge chair, just to name a few.

As for early 20th Century items, a Tiffany Studios table lamp, with Vine Border (Acorn) shade, will be estimated at $7,000–$9,000.

Several sterling silver lots will be offered such as a Tiffany & Co. Audubon flatware set, valued at $7,000–$9,000, and a Christofle, Sceaux flatware set, expected to sell for $6,000–$9,000.

Our February 10th and 11th Auctions will offer stunning jade from China, rare furniture and collectibles, and Edwardian and Art Deco jewelry from private estates.

Asian Art

On February 11th, the Asian Art department will feature two fine Chinese jade lots comprising a set of imperial quality Chinese white jade belt buckle and associated ornaments depicting dragons and cranes from the 18th to 19th century.

The other lot is a Republic Period Mughal style celadon jade vase and linked cover finely carved in low relief with bamboo, prunus and chrysanthemum along with a pair of magpies. It also has a pair of openwork peony handles and a finial, all set with a linking chain. It is estimated at $4,000–$6,000.

Another imperial quality piece being offered in this month’s auction is a 18th century Chinese mother-of-pearl inlaid black lacquered box and cover, which is decorated with a stylized longevity character painted in gold lacquer, surrounded by a profusion of floral roundels inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

There will be a fine selection of furniture, porcelains, coins, silver, and other objects de vertu in our February 10th sale. Highlights include a pair of French Napoleonic demilune bronze mounted tables circa 1850, estimated at $3,000–$5,000.

Fine Jewelry & Timepieces

The Fine Jewelry & Timepieces department is excited to offer a selection of antique diamond, colored gemstone and gold jewelry in their upcoming February 10th sale.

This sale features a variety of lovely new and old wardrobe staples to build up the foundation of your jewelry collection at accessible price points, including a colorful gemstone selection with an Art Deco star sapphire and diamond ring, estimated at $800–$1,200 and a pair of emerald, diamond and fourteen karat bi-color gold earrings, estimated at $1,500–$2,500. Other exquisite pieces that will highlight your everyday life are represented by an Edwardian diamond and platinum pendant brooch, estimated at $2,000–$4,000, and an antique diamond and eighteen karat gold pendant, estimated at $1,200–$1,800.

Clars’ February 9th Important Winter Modern + Contemporary Art Auction will feature a selection of artwork from an array of international artists.

A featured highlight this month is a watercolor on paper by influential German-Swiss artist Paul Klee. This piece, titled Fragment of a Mural (Fragment einer Wandmalerei), shows an abstract image that is left to the viewer to decipher. Klee is known for the use of geometric forms in his work — often building his arrangements with triangles and rectangles — but here we see an unrecognizable object, made more mysterious by the title identifying it as just one section from a larger composition. Klee is perhaps even better known for his innovative take on color theory. The blending of purple into red into gray tones seen in this work illustrates Klee’s opinion that small sections of color could be unified to create a harmonious visual. Furthermore, during his time as an instructor at the Bauhaus, Klee taught as a master of stained glass, often using smoking techniques to color pieces of glass. The muted tones in this watercolor echo the hazy, blended hues that would result from smoking glass. The work on paper is estimated at $100,000–$150,000.

Also included in the sale this month is a work on paper, titled Green Hill, by American artist, Mark Tobey. As a founder of the Northwest School in Seattle, Washington, Tobey imbued in his peers an appreciation of East Asian culture — the effects of which are visible in Green Hill, with its muted color palette echoing Shan Shui landscapes, and an expressionist style that mimics calligraphy. The misty atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest was a driving influence on Tobey, who used earthy tones to illustrate Green Hill, with the green of the hill obscured almost completely by a heavy fog against a sepia sky. Green Hill is dated 1957, the year before Tobey became the second American artist to win the International Grand Prize at the 1958 Venice Biennale. The work is estimated at $30,000–$50,000.

Another important work in the February sale is a steel sculpture by acclaimed Mexican artist, Rufino Tamayo. The piece depicts two figures, likely one male and one female based on their clothing, standing with hands overlapped in an uncomplicated embrace. The stylized figures are reminiscent of the simplified figures seen in well-known Tamayo paintings like Tres Personajes, with dominant geometric lines replacing the naturalistic curves of the human body. The sculpture shows the figures’ bodies as rectangles, with semicircle arms and circular hands. The male figure’s legs and female figure’s skirt are triangular, and the base is a narrow rectangular platform. The gray patina of the metallic material is consistent throughout and recalls the stone and clay sculptures of the Zapotec, an indigenous Pre-Colombian culture from whom Tamayo claimed both heritage and inspiration. The work is estimated at $70,000–$100,000.

Next featured in the February sale is the Makemono lithograph scroll by Catalan painter and sculptor, Joan Miró, created circa 1956. Considered a major figure in the Surrealist family, Miró uses this color-printed Chanton silk scroll to marry a traditional East Asian medium with his “automatism” technique, a method of revealing an individual’s psyche through spontaneous drawing and painting. Makemono presents form and color before narrative, showing abstract human figures interspersed with birds, eyes, and nonobjective forms derived purely from the artist’s imagination. From an edition of only 50, the vibrant scroll is anchored by wooden batons on each of the two ends and includes its original carved and painted wood box. The scroll is estimated at $20,000–$30,000.

Other notable artworks to be offered in the sale include prints by Yayoi Kusama, a ceramic plate by Pablo Picasso, and a painting by Guy Anderson.

The Estate of Joanna Barnes and Jack Warner (Santa Barbara, California), will highlight Clars’ January auctions.

Asian Art

A selection of woodblock prints will lead the Asian Section of the January auctions. Among the woodblock prints created by the great Shin-hanga artist, Kawase Hasui (1883–1957), is the design Zojo Temple, Shiba, commissioned in 1925. Zojo Temple, Shiba is regarded as Hasui’s most outstanding and iconic creation. Among collectors of Japanese prints of the Shin-hanga movement, it is one of the most sought-after and valuable designs.

Fine Art

Clars is pleased to be offering the Estate of Joanna Barnes and Jack Warner (Santa Barbara, California). Ms. Barnes was a Hollywood film actress featured in movies such as Auntie Mame (1958) and The Parent Trap (1961). Mr. Warner was a prominent architect featured in numerous issues of Architectural Digest. One of the highlights from the estate is a large monotype (diptych) by Charles Arnoldi (American, b. 1946), Untitled (GTW-CA-SF-3-86), estimated at $12,000–$18,000. This colorful work exemplifies Arnoldi’s bold style.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

Clars’ Furniture & Decorative Arts department will be offering a selection of Spanish Colonial religious figures including a Spanish Colonial santos figure, 18th century, with inset glass eyes and painted details, overall 22″h estimated at $2,000–$4,000, and a Spanish Colonial gilt and polychrome decorated santos figure, retaining original pigment decorated face with glass eyes, and traces of pigment to the body, 37″h x 28″w, also with a $2,000–$4,000 estimate. Rounding out the sale, our fine silver and Vertu department will offer a selection of fine sterling silver from important Bay Area estates and collections.

Fine Jewelry & Timepieces

The Fine Jewelry & Timepieces department at Clars is excited to offer a selection of diamond, colored gemstone and gold jewelry, in their upcoming January 13th sale. This sale features a variety of wardrobe staples to build up the foundation of your jewelry collection at accessible price points, including a colorful gemstone selection with a jadeite and fourteen karat gold ring, estimated at $800–$1,200, and an opal, diamond and fourteen karat gold pendant necklace, estimated at $2,500–$3,500. Other wearable pieces that will highlight your everyday life are featured by makers such as Tiffany & Co., represented in a coral and eighteen karat gold brooch, estimated at $1,200–$1,800.