Clars Auction Gallery announced that their February 21 and 22, 2015, sale will feature an exceptional collection of fine art, significant offerings from the Mellon Scaife collection from his Pebble Beach (CA), Nantucket (MA) and Pittsburgh (PA) estates, plus very desirable jewelry and timepiece offerings as well as fine Asian Art and Antiques.

Fine Art

Turning first to the important European fine art that will be offered and following the success of the painting, “Portrait of the Young Woman,” by Isaac Israels (Dutch, 1864-1934) which achieved the monumental price of $95,200 in November, Clars is pleased once again to be offering another fine oil on canvas by the artist titled, “Young Woman,” which will be offered for $30,000-50,000. Master Barbizon painter, Charles François Daubigny (French, 1817-1878), captures the bucolic scenery at dusk in the painting, “Lavandieres au bord de l’Oise (1864),” which is estimated at $7,000-10,000. Another impressive, yet whimsical, French painting from an important Beverly Hills, California collection is “Paris with Notre Dame in the Distance” by Albert Marquet (French, 1875-1947) which will be offered at $50,000-70,000. Important Russian paintings and sculpture will be front and center as well with two marine paintings by Vladimir Donatovitch Orlovsky (Russian, 1842-1914) titled, Sailboats at Sunset, offered at $30,000-50,000 as well as another colorful work by Georgi Alexandrovich Lapchine (Russian, 1885-1950) titled, Venice, with an estimate of $10,000-15,000. The highlight in the Russian sculpture category is a rare bronze by Paul Troubetskoy (Russian, 1866-1938) titled, "Consuela Vanderbilt.” Ms. Vanderbilt was the only daughter and eldest child of William Kissam Vanderbilt (grandson of railroad magnate, Cornelius Vanderbilt). This impressive work will be offered at $40,000-60,000. 

Clars will offer an array of exceptional American fine art as well.  A collection of four (4) colorful landscapes by the famous American artist Wolf Kahn (American, b. 1927), will highlight Clars’ contemporary offerings. The largest oil of the group entitled, “Open Woods,” is a quintessential example of Kahn’s ability to synthesize the spontaneity of color with the realistic qualities of formal landscape painting. Kahn’s palette in “Open Woods,” is bright and playful, connecting the viewer to such great colorists as Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall, while also relating to the emotional use of color as seen in Mark Rothko’s color-field paintings. Kahn’s relationship with abstract expressionism and color-field paintings can be traced to Hans Hoffman—Kahn’s instructor for many years, and later working as Hoffman’s studio assistant Kahn developed his creative voice. This unique voice quickly became one of the greatest painters of the American landscape. The four works offered on February 22nd at Clars Auction Gallery come in a variety of sizes and mediums—the largest being “Open Woods,” [Photo 3] an oil painting being offered at $25,000-$35,000. Another beautiful oil entitled “Trees in Spring,” from 1993 will be offered at $15,000-$20,000.

This sale is also packed with important Post-War and Contemporary prints from a variety of significant Artists. Highlighting this collection of prints is Wayne Thiebaud’s (American, b. 1920), “Gumball Machine,” [Photo 4] a linoleum cut print from 1970. Clars has been extremely successful with Thiebaud’s prints at auction—setting many auction records for the artist. This highly sought after print will surely meet or exceed its estimate of $10,000-$15,000. Other highlights from the print section include Robert Motherwell’s (American, 1915-1991),  “Three Forms,” a color aquatint and lift-ground etching from 1988 (1 of 4 to be offered by Motherwell) with an estimate of $5,000-$7,000. Sam Francis’ (American, 1923-1994), “Trieto III,” a colorful etching with aquatint from 1991 will be offered with an estimate of $6,000-$9,000 (1 of 5 to be offered by Francis), Frank Stella’s (American, b. 1937), “Then came an ox and drank the water,” pl. 7 (from Illustrations after El Lissitzky's Had Gadya), a mixed-media print from 1982-1984  will be offered at $8,000-$12,000, and a group of four (4) large carborundum etchings by Roberto Matta (Chilean, 1911-2002) will round out the important Post-War and Contemporary print offerings at estimates of $8,000-$12,000 each.

In the late 19th and early 20th century American category, one highlight is a spectacular painting by William Merritt Chase (1849-1916). Chase is considered one of the most talented of the American Impressionists with his painterly compositions that master the effects of light in landscapes, portraiture and everyday objects. In his painting, “Still Life with Cherries and Copper Bowl,” Chase exemplifies this talent in capturing the perfect reflective qualities of the metal, copper, as well as the ripe red cherries in a bowl. This oil on canvas will be offered at $10,000-15,000. A painting titled, “The Hunting Dogs,” by master canine sporting scene artist, Percival Leonard Rosseau (1959-1937), is sure to fetch $10,000-15,000. A meticulously executed landscape depicting the delicate grace of wildlife is the painting, Deer by a Mountain Stream, by Hermann Herzog (1831-1932) will be available at $7,000-10,000. A charming oil on panel study by Joseph Henry Sharp (American, 1859-1953) of an Indian Encampment in Winter will also be offered at $8,000-12,000.

A rare etching by the artist Mary Cassatt (American, 1844-1926), entitled "Mother Marie dressing her baby after its bath," State I, c. 1890/9, [Photo 5] will highlight the 19th century print offerings. The final State, State II can be found in such prominent public collections as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Library of Congress, but this extremely rare first State has not been seen in any public or private collections until now. Originally purchased from Gump’s in San Francisco (CA) over 60 years ago, this work has been quietly tucked away from the public consciousness until now. This extremely rare work will be offered on February 22nd with an estimate of $20,000-$30,000, and will surely be a significant addition to any collection of important 19th century graphic works.

Fine examples by California artists will also be featured on February 22nd. Paintings by Edgar Alwin Payne, Joseph Kleitsch, August Gay, Si Chen Yuan, Granville Redmond, and Charles Rollo Peters are just a few of the many names that will be offered at Clars.

Decorative Arts and Furnishings

Property from the important Mellon Scaife Estate will once again command worldwide attention and top dollar in the February sale. This month, a very extensive collection of 18th and 19th century porcelains will be offered from Meissen, Derby, Worcester, George Jones and Royal Copenhagen that should collectively sell for more than $100,000.

Furthering the Scaife decorative art offerings will be a Dale Chihuly freeform glass vase [Photo 6] and a collection of whimsical Victorian shellwork centerpieces, each retaining the original glass dome. Silver offerings from Scaife Pittsburgh Estate include a English Georgian sterling silver tankard, by H.B, London, 1745, 25.29 troy oz.

Fine furniture from the Scaife Pittsburg estate will include a George III double pedestal dining table, George III cellarettes plus many more fine pieces.

While the Mellon Scaife collection will be the highlight of the Decorative Arts and Furnishings offerings, the top lot of the category is an amazing Chinese triple Fusee and gilt bronze bracket clock with automaton. [Photo 7] Coming from another important estate, this clock will be offered for $30,000-$40,000. Other fine pieces on note will be a Colonial mahogany "Maiden" figural nine tube tall case clock, which should easily exceed its high estimate of $8,000.  A Jules Leleu (1883-1961) French Art Deco 'Psyche' floor standing cheval mirror, circa 1930, will be offered for $6,000-$8,000 and a figural Fred clock, French, having an ebony blackamoor with emerald and ruby tutti frutti headdress [Photo 8] is estimated at  $8,000-$12,000. A Continental pietra dura and marble foyer table will be offered for $6,000-$8,000 and a pair of monumental Renaissance Revival six arm chandeliers, circa 1860, each with their original cut glass shades, will carry a $4,000-$6,000 each estimate. And for the traveler with vintage style, a Goyard Paris steamer trunk is expected to set sail for $4,000-$6,000. The earliest piece to be offered is a beautiful Flemish scenic tapestry, 17th century, depicting a king presenting a dowry of gold to the bridegroom. (Estimate: $6,000-$8,000)

Other offerings of note from important estates and collections will include a very scarce Michael Price, San Francisco Bowie knife that will be offered for $4,000-$6,000. In sterling, an English Regency sterling silver tea kettle on stand with warmer, [PHOTO 9] by Paul Storr, London, 1828, is expected to achieve $10,000-$15,000. In American sterling,Victorian sterling silver serving pieces in the “Chrysanthemum” and “Wave Edge” patterns by Tiffany & Company, 1880, 1884 will be offered as well as a Gorham sterling silver oyster ladle and fish server in the "King George" pattern, 1894. From Russia will be a .916 silver-gilt large master salt by I. Khlebnikov, Moscow, 1876.

Asian Art and Antiques

This month, the Asian Art and Antiques category will also include a wide range of property from the Mellon Scaife estate. Some of the highlights include a figural coral carving of a beauty accompanied by an attendant and phoenix from the late Qing/early Republic period, [Photo 10] now mounted as a lamp, carries an estimate of $4,000-$6,000.  The estate also contains a collection of Chinese export porcelain from the Qing dynasty. Among those to be offered will be a pair of vases finely painted with figures in landscape.

The Asian art section will be also feature a range of Chinese porcelain, primarily from the Qing dynasty and Republic period.  And in the furniture category, a selection of Chinese rosewood pieces from the late Qing to early Republic period will be offered along with more contemporary huanghuali and Vietnamese huanghuali furniture.

Fine Jewelry and Timepieces

And the jewels will be spectacular this month with the top two lots both estimated at $12,000 to $16,000. The first is a fine alexandrite, diamond and 18k white gold ring, highlighting a cushion cut alexandrite weighing 2.07 cts. The second is a Jadeite, diamond and 14k white gold ring. Another ring, an emerald cut diamond and platinum ring, diamond weighing 2.96 cts, is expected to fetch $8,000-$12,000.

From Faberge, a cigarette box [Photo 11] executed in rose gold with gold mark and cabochon sapphire button, marked St. Petersburg 1908 1917, will be offered for $10,000 - $15,000.

And finally, in timepieces, the highlight will be a Gentleman's Audemars Piguet 18k yellow gold automatic chronograph wristwatch that carries a $6,000 – $9,000 estimate.

Clars Auction Gallery’s Fine Art, Decoratives, Jewelry and Asian Art Auction will be held Saturday, Sunday and Monday, February 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.. The sales will begin promptly at 9:30am on Saturday and Sunday and at 1:30pm on Monday. Previews for this sale will be held Friday, February 20th   from 1pm to 6pm and 9am, Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9:30 am and by appointment. A complete catalog will be available online one and one-half weeks prior to the sale. For more information, please visit www.clars.com  or email: info@clars.com