Highlights from our October 18th Auction include contemporary design pieces, a collection of Japanese and Western art from the esteemed Mitsui family, wristwatches from renowned manufacturers, and works from the private collection of architecture and design firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).

Furniture & Decorative Arts

The gallery sale on Friday will present a diverse assortment of sterling silver, porcelain, glass, furniture, Indigenous art, and carpets. Notable items include antique accessories from Palais Royal and Vizagapatam, as well as an Antoine Bourdelle bronze Medusa door knocker. Contemporary works from acclaimed artists such as Preston Singletary, Chihuly, Beatrice Wood, Gambone, Adrian Persal, Harry Bertoia, and Niamh Barry will also be featured, ensuring a wide range of styles and artistic expressions.

Fine Jewelry & Watches

Clars is excited to announce its October Fine Watches and Jewelry Auction, set to take place on Friday, October 18th, starting at 9:30 AM PDT. This event will feature an exceptional collection of over ninety wristwatches from renowned German, Swiss, Japanese, and French manufacturers, including prestigious brands like Maurice Lacroix, Grand Seiko, Longines, Nomos, Farer, Certina, Omega, and Junghans. With a diverse array of styles and finishes, this selection caters to both seasoned collectors and enthusiastic newcomers alike.

In addition to the timepieces, the auction will showcase a stunning array of fine jewelry designed to enhance any collection. Highlights include classic pearls, exquisite gold pieces, and dazzling diamond creations, alongside rare gemstones such as vibrant sapphires and rich emeralds. This comprehensive offering makes the auction a must-attend event for jewelry aficionados and watch enthusiasts.

Fine Art

Clars’ Fine Art department is pleased to announce a selection of works from the private collection of the renowned architecture and design firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in our upcoming auction. Among the highlights is a captivating 1962 oil on canvas titled Windswept by Carl Morris (American, 1911–1993), with an estimated value of $6,000– $9,000. This piece, along with others by Morris, has seen increased interest in recent years due to the artist’s significant contributions to mid-century art.

Another standout work from the SOM collection is Pyramid by Alan J. Shields (American, 1944–2005). This piece is a whimsical painted and beaded canvas showcasing Shield’s playful style, estimated at $5,000–$7,000. Additional works by notable artists such as Margo Hoff, Gideon Jacques Denny, and Mark Adams will also be included in the auction.

Asian Art

The Asian Art segment will feature a remarkable group of nine stoneware pieces by Morino Taimei (born 1934), hailing from a private collection. Taimei’s work is represented in esteemed institutions, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Additionally, a rare 18th century Tibetan thangka depicting the Buddha will be offered, providing a glimpse into the rich history and artistry of the region.

The Warehouse Auction: October 19th

The Warehouse Auction features an eclectic mix of art, prints, and photographs, with each month bringing a diverse selection of paintings, prints, and sculptures from around the globe, all with accessible estimates. The Asian Art Department will present a carefully curated assortment, including Japanese woodblock prints, ceramics, folding screens, and various decorative pieces. In the Jewelry Department, we are excited to offer a range of affordable items, from diamonds to silver and gold necklaces. The Warehouse boasts an accessible priced collection that encompasses modern and antique furniture and décor, silver, porcelain, glass, fashion, collectible toys, books, and indigenous arts. Collections include opaline glass, Tartanware, Russian lacquer boxes and Bjørn Wiinblad porcelain.

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.

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.

The Making of a Photographer

Born on October 2, 1949, in Waterbury, Connecticut, Annie Leibovitz grew up in a military family that moved frequently across the United States. It was this itinerant upbringing, and an early habit of recording places and faces she feared losing, that first drew her to image-making. She enrolled at the San Francisco Art Institute in the late 1960s, intending to study painting, but a darkroom class changed everything. Within a short time, photography had become her primary language.

In 1970, at 21, Leibovitz walked into the offices of Rolling Stone magazine in San Francisco with a portfolio of photographs. Jann Wenner, the magazine’s founding editor, was struck by what he saw and gave her an assignment immediately. Her first published photograph ran on the cover of Rolling Stone in January 1971: a portrait of John Lennon taken during a session that would become one of the defining moments of her early career. She was hired as a staff photographer, and by 1973 had been named the magazine’s chief photographer, a title she held until 1983, during which time she produced some of the most memorable celebrity portraiture of the era.

The thirteen years she spent at Rolling Stone established the visual grammar that would define her reputation. She photographed musicians, actors, athletes, and politicians with an intimacy that felt genuinely earned rather than performed. Her subjects included the Rolling Stones on tour, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Bette Midler. Her approach was immersive: she would spend extended time with subjects, often traveling with them, building enough trust that the camera seemed to disappear. The resulting photographs felt less like posed portraits and more like brief, honest glimpses into private lives.

Vanity Fair, Vogue, & the Portrait at Scale

In 1983, Leibovitz transitioned to Vanity Fair, where she would spend the next several decades producing work that would extend and deepen her reputation. The editorial budgets and production scale available at Vanity Fair allowed her to realize increasingly ambitious visual concepts. Her portraits from this period are among the most widely reproduced magazine images in American publishing history: Demi Moore, visibly pregnant, photographed nude on the August 1991 cover; Whoopi Goldberg submerged in a bath of milk; a reclining Keith Haring covered in body paint. These images were not simply photographs; they were cultural events.

Alongside her editorial work for Vanity Fair, Leibovitz has contributed extensively to Vogue, photographing fashion campaigns and portraits for both the American and international editions. Her advertising clients have included American Express, Honda, and Louis Vuitton. The latter campaign, which featured major cultural figures, including Mikhail Gorbachev, Catherine Deneuve, and Keith Richards, in travel settings, became one of the most celebrated advertising series of the 2000s.

December 8, 1980, produced what many consider the most significant single photograph of her career. In the hours before John Lennon’s assassination, Leibovitz photographed him curled around Yoko Ono in their Dakota apartment. The image, a nude Lennon in fetal embrace around a fully clothed Ono, ran on the cover of Rolling Stone following his death and has since become one of the most iconic photographs of the twentieth century. Leibovitz was the last professional photographer to photograph Lennon alive.

Museum Recognition & Institutional Legacy

In 1991, Leibovitz became the first woman to stage a solo exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London. The show, drawn from two decades of portraiture work, established her within a tradition of formal portraiture that extended well beyond magazine photography. The accompanying monograph, Photographs: Annie Leibovitz 1970–1990, remains a key reference for collectors and researchers.

Subsequent exhibitions have included Women (1999), a collaboration with writer Susan Sontag featuring portraits of women from diverse backgrounds and professions; American Music (2003), which documented musicians across genres; and A Photographer’s Life: 1990–2005, which originated at the Brooklyn Museum before traveling internationally. That exhibition was significant for its candor; it interwove professional editorial work with deeply personal photographs documenting the final years of Susan Sontag’s life and the early childhood of Leibovitz’s daughters.

Her work is held in the permanent collections of major institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Portrait Gallery in London, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. In 2006, she was named a Living Legend by the Library of Congress. She is currently represented by Hauser & Wirth, one of the world’s leading contemporary art galleries, a relationship that situates her work firmly within the contemporary fine art market rather than solely within the world of editorial photography.

Her Most Iconic Photographs

A handful of images have come to define Leibovitz’s public identity as a photographer:

• John Lennon and Yoko Ono (1980) — Taken hours before Lennon’s assassination, this gelatin silver print is among the most reproduced photographs of the twentieth century.
• Demi Moore, Pregnant (1991) — The Vanity Fair cover that redefined how pregnancy was represented in mainstream media and generated international debate.
• Whoopi Goldberg in a Milk Bath (1984) — A conceptually daring image that remains among her most discussed early works.
• Keith Haring with Body Paint (1986) — A collaboration that merged the visual languages of two distinct artistic practices.
• Queen Elizabeth II (2007) — Commissioned portraits taken at Buckingham Palace, which generated significant press coverage and became landmarks of official royal portraiture.
• Caitlyn Jenner (2015) — The Vanity Fair cover that generated the magazine’s highest newsstand sales in decades.

These images are not simply well-known. They occupy a specific place in the broader history of photography as a medium capable of shaping public perception, reframing cultural narratives, and functioning as historical documents of their moment.

Collecting Leibovitz: What to Know

For collectors interested in acquiring work by Annie Leibovitz, understanding the structure of her market is essential. Her photographs exist in several distinct formats, and the format, print date, and edition size all have a direct bearing on value.

Print Formats & Media

Leibovitz’s photographs are produced in three primary media:

• Gelatin silver prints: The traditional photographic medium used for her black-and-white work from the Rolling Stone era and beyond. Vintage gelatin silver prints — those produced at or near the time the photograph was taken — are the most sought after by serious collectors and carry a premium over later editions.
• Chromogenic (C-print) prints: Used for her color photography, particularly the Vanity Fair and Vogue work. These are typically available in limited editions and represent the most accessible tier of her market for collectors entering at a mid-range price point.
• Digital inkjet (pigment) prints: Used for more recent work and large-format editions. These prints are often produced in very small editions and are associated with her gallery representation through Hauser & Wirth.

Edition Size & Print Date

Edition size matters significantly in Leibovitz’s market. Smaller editions command higher prices; a print issued in an edition of five will typically outperform one issued in an edition of fifty, all else being equal. Print date is equally important: vintage prints, those produced close to the time the photograph was taken, consistently achieve stronger results at auction than later reprints, even of the same image. Collector preference for vintage prints reflects the historical and material authenticity of the object rather than the image alone.

Provenance also plays a meaningful role. Prints that can be documented to private sales through Hauser & Wirth or major photography galleries, or that carry exhibition history, are generally more desirable to institutional buyers and serious private collectors.

Price Ranges at Auction

The market for Leibovitz photographs spans a wide range. At the entry level, signed prints from later editions, particularly color work from the 1990s and 2000s, have sold at auction for low thousands. Mid-tier examples, particularly vintage gelatin silver prints of iconic subjects, typically realize between $5,000 and $30,000. Major works — large-format prints, unique or near-unique vintage examples, and images with significant cultural resonance — have reached six figures at major auction houses. The John Lennon and Yoko Ono gelatin silver print from 1970 is among the most actively traded of her works, with realized prices at auction varying based on print date, size, and condition.

Collectors new to photography will find useful context in Clars’ fine art photography department, which handles a range of vintage and contemporary photographic works across price points.

Annie Leibovitz at Clars Auctions

Clars Auctions has handled Annie Leibovitz’s work at auction, including a gelatin silver print of John Lennon and Yoko Ono (1970), measuring 11″ × 7.5″ and signed, which sold for $6,300. The print originated from the same session in which Leibovitz captured Lennon for what would become the January 1971 cover of Rolling Stone, one of the pivotal early milestones of her career.

Works by Leibovitz appear at auction infrequently relative to collector demand, particularly vintage prints of her most recognized subjects. When they do come to market, they tend to attract sustained interest from collectors building collections in American photography, modern portraiture, and twentieth-century cultural history.

For Buyers

If you are building a collection in American photography or fine art portraiture, we recommend reviewing our auction calendar and live catalogs to stay informed when a Leibovitz work enters one of our sales. Our team of fine art specialists is also available to assist with research and pre-sale inquiries.

New to the auction process? Our guide for first-time bidders walks you through registration, bidding options, and what to expect on sale day. You can also explore ways to buy, including absentee and telephone bidding.

For Sellers

If you own a work by Annie Leibovitz — whether a vintage print, a signed later edition, or a large-format gallery work — Clars Auctions is well-positioned to help you understand its current market value and bring it to the right buyers. Our specialists provide professional appraisals for fair market, insurance, and estate purposes, and our established presence in fine art and photography auctions means your consignment reaches a targeted, qualified collector base.

We work with individual sellers, estate executors, fiduciaries, and institutions. To begin, you can request a complimentary valuation online, contact our team directly, or visit us at our auction house in Oakland, California.

Clars Auction Gallery proudly partnered with MoPAr on an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) workshop May 25th, 11AM PST. What is an NFT and How Do NFTs work?

Are you curious about how to buy and sell an NFT at Auction? The print of the photo, Girl with Candy, fetched $8,165 at auction, and the digital version is now being offered in Clars’ inaugural NFT auction. If you’re curious on how to get started and how to purchase your first NFT, Clars’ NFT offering of Girl with Candy allows buyers and collectors a chance to own on the blockchain while raising funds for Ukraine.

To learn more, please watch the recording of our workshop.

About MoPAr

The Museum of Permuted Art creates thought provoking NFTs to bring IRL classical art to web3 by collaborating with today’s NFT artists and institutions. Prioritizing innovation, they use their own blockchain technology to explore ways to connect present day art to the past, engaging their community with different cultures, periods and art forms. 4% of the total MoPAr mint proceeds are directed to their #ForTheArt fund that seeks to make an impact in the arts as directed by their collectors and community.

NBC media interview with Senior Fine Art Specialist Alexa Malvino, on the incredible results of the photograph Girl with Candy by Oleksii Kyryrenchko.

A limited edition signed print will be offered April 24th to help in the aid effort in Ukraine.

Clars Auction Gallery is proud to be offering a print of the photograph Girl with Candy by now world-renowned Ukrainian photographer Oleksii Kyrychenko. Oleksii blew-up on social media after uploading the photo of his young daughter holding a (unloaded) double barrel rifle with lollipop in mouth, just days before Ukraine was attacked by Russian forces. Oleksii, who’s been a photography hobbyist since school, wanted to capture and show the world what a war-torn Ukraine would look like for its people and its children. Despite attempts to share the images on Facebook, they were not truly appreciated until his dystopian photograph became reality.

Oleksii said, “I posted the photo to a few Facebook foreign photo groups. They were banned immediately in those with Russian admins. The other groups were ambiguous about the piece. A lot of people criticized the photo for showing a child with a weapon. Finally, the photo remained posted in only one group.” But after the atrocities of the war began, he went on to say, “Suddenly the image had spread all over the world. The opinions of these photos have changed completely, as now the world has seen the real face of the Russian invasion.”

Clars will be auctioning a print of the photograph, printed here in Oakland by permission of the photographer. It is one of a limited edition of 5, which will be auctioned in our April 24th sale with an estimate of $1,000–$2,000.

Oleksii has requested that half of the proceeds be donated to Come Back Alive, a non-governmental organization helping the Ukrainian military by supplying troops with technical support and medical aid.