Property of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco to Benefit the Acquisition Fund of the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts will be offered at Clars Auctions on March 19th, 10 AM PDT. This exceptional offering includes more than 170 works on paper spanning the 1860s through the 1980s.

Clars Auctions is honored to have been selected by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco to present this distinguished group of works at auction. The relationship between Clars and the Museums is rooted in a shared commitment to connoisseurship, stewardship, and public trust. As one of the West Coast’s leading full-service auction houses, Clars brings decades of expertise in handling significant institutional property and in connecting important works of art with discerning collectors.

Being entrusted with property that benefits the Acquisition Fund of the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts underscores Clars’ reputation for scholarship, market leadership, and integrity. Proceeds from the March 19th auction will directly support future acquisitions, strengthening the Foundation’s ability to expand and preserve its renowned collection of works on paper for generations to come.

“This sale represents a meaningful collaboration between our institution and one of the country’s most respected museums,” said Rick Unruh, CEO and President of Clars Auctions.

“We are proud to play a role in furthering the Achenbach Foundation’s mission while offering collectors an extraordinary opportunity to own works that embody the rich artistic legacy of California.”

Providing a compelling glimpse into San Francisco’s cultural and civic history, the collection features rare 19th-century portraiture depicting prominent politicians, influential businessmen, and notable figures of the Old California era. Historically significant Northern California landscapes, seascapes, and early San Francisco street scenes will also be presented.

Collectors of modern and contemporary art will find works by important late 20th-century West Coast artists, including Ed Ruscha, Nathan Oliveira, William T. Wiley, Robert Bechtle, and Beth Van Hoesen.

The auction will take place live on Thursday, March 19th, with bidding available in person, by phone, absentee, and online.

San Francisco’s Old Guard Elegance Continues at Clars Auctions on February 20th.

Our February 20th Auction will present an exceptional selection from the Emmy & Dolph Andrews Estate, following the high-profile Christie’s New York sale that first brought national attention to this storied San Francisco collection. Together, these offerings represent one of the most significant private estates to come to market in recent years — an authentic reflection of the Old Guard elegance that defined San Francisco society for generations.

Emily Taylor Andrews and Adolphus “Dolph” Andrews Jr. were pillars of the city’s cultural and social life. Descendants of California pioneers and members of a prominent local family, the Andrewses embodied a tradition of stewardship, philanthropy, and connoisseurship; notably, the family’s legacy includes service as trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF).

For decades, the Andrewses lived and entertained in their private San Francisco residence — interiors shaped by legendary designers Michael Taylor and Anthony Hail, whose work reinforced the couple’s passion for European classicism and layered historic interiors. Every object chosen resulted in a collection that feels both deeply personal and museum-worthy.

The upcoming Clars offering continues this narrative, presenting works drawn directly from these storied interiors. Highlights include a Continental hand-colored print diorama; a set of eight 18th-century Staffordshire pottery stirrup cups; and an English silver-mounted coconut cup from the 19th century.

Also featured is an Asprey & Co. 18k gold-mounted bloodstone bowl, offered as part of a group, exemplifying luxury and impeccable craftsmanship. Another highlight is a refined French vermeil and banded agate handled desk set, 19th century, showcasing the Andrewses’ appreciation for elegant objects of daily use. Anchoring the selection is a powerful 18th-century Russian icon depicting the Resurrection of Christ and the Descent into Hell, reflecting the couple’s interest in sacred art and spiritual traditions.

Beyond the highlights, the broader Andrews Estate offered at Clars reflects the remarkable scope of the couple’s connoisseurship. The collection encompasses 17th through 19th century textiles, finely crafted English and French objects of vertu, and an array of Continental and English furniture reflecting classical European forms. Complementing these are luxury travel pieces, including Louis Vuitton monogram luggage sets and custom trunks, examples of the Andrewses’ cosmopolitan lifestyle and decades of international travel.

This offering presents collectors with a rare opportunity to acquire pieces from a private San Francisco collection shaped by institutional-level taste, historic interiors, and a lineage deeply woven into California’s cultural history. As the next chapter following the Christie’s New York sale, Clars’ offering on February 20th affirms the lasting significance of the Emmy & Dolph Andrews Estate — where legacy, design, and connoisseurship converge.

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

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

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

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