On June 16th and 17th, 2012, Clars will host the ninth sale in their record-setting fiscal year. On the heels of the firm’s largest sale in their 40+ year history held in May, their June event promises to complement that auction nicely with, again, exceptional fine art, furnishings, jewelry and Asian offerings including Part II of a collection to be sold on behalf of the Honolulu Museum of Art.

The furnishings and decoratives category will be particularly exciting with offerings from renowned American modern furniture designer Vladimir Kagan. Kagan is regarded as one of America’s most important 20th century furniture designers. In an article in the New York Times, his work is described as “Icons of Modernity” with he himself being referred to as “the creative grandfather of a whole generation of designers.” On Sunday, June 17th, as part of Clars Gallery sale, two works from Kagan will be offered. The first, a biomorphic sofa, circa 1950, (PHOTO 1) carries a presale estimate of $7,000 to $9,000. The second piece, an inlaid cabinet, (PHOTO 2) comes to the sale with an estimate of $5,000 to $7,000.

Other highlights in this category include a hammered copper occasional table attributed to Dirk Van Erp studios estimated at $3,500 to $4,500 and a pair of Tiffany Studios candlesticks expected to earn $2,000 to $4,000. A fine selection of French and California wines will also be offered including Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Mouton Rothschild.

Turning to the fine art category, from Europe will be two rare gouache and watercolor works (PHOTO 3) by Belgian artist, Leon Spilliaert (1881-1946) that are estimated at $20,000 to $40,000 each. A painting, Still Life with Roses, by Margaretha Roosenboom (Dutch, 1843-1896) is expected to earn $10,000 to $15,000 and a very large color lithograph of St. Petersburg from 1912 by Mstislav Dobuzhinsky (Russian, 1875-1957) carries the same estimate. Also featured will be a set of four European Classical Genre scene paintings on panel from the late 16th/early 17th century. Lastly, a very nice etching Faune et bacchante, avec combat de faunes (from Series 347)” by Pablo Picasso at is estimated at $4,000 to $6,000

American works to be offered will be highlighted by a lithograph from the edition by Thomas Hart Benton (American, 1889-1975), The Race (Homeward Bound), estimated at $6,000 to $8,000. In the paintings category, Clars is pleased to feature a work by Ash Can artist, George Luks (American, 1867-1933) titled Barnyard Scene with Figure and Horse (1920)” (estimate: $7,000 to $9,000) and a rare painting by American artist, Aloysius C. O’Kelly (1853-1926) of Two Girls Playing in the Poppy Fields (PHOTO 4) which carries an estimate of $10,000 to $15,000. A beautiful illustration by Mabel Rollins Harris of a Brown & Bigelow Calendar Girl from the 1930s is expected to earn $4,000 to $6,000.

From American artist Elizabeth Catlett (1915-2012) will be her bronze entitled Naima (estimate $8,000 to $12,000). In May 2012, Clars sold her bronze sculpture, Figure Looking Skyward, for $14,280.

 In Californian works, a spectacular painting by William Keith (Californian, 1838-1911) entitled San Anselmo Creek, Marin County (PHOTO 5) is estimated to sell for $6,000 to $8,000. A second work from Keith, entitled Berkeley Hills, (estimate: $3,000 to $5,000) comes to the sale from the Honolulu Museum of Art. Other featured works by noted California  artists such as Charles Dormon Robinson (1847-1943), Michele Cascella (1892-1989), Jake Lee (1915-1991), George Chann (1913-1995), Paul Grimm (1891-1974), William F. Jackson (1850-1936), Johann Schuld (1870-1943), and Frank van Sloun (1879-1938) will round out the California offerings.

And finally, in Modern and Contemporary offerings, the rare painting, Untitled, by Taiwanese abstract artist, Wu Hao (b.1931) is estimated at  $8,000 to $12,000 followed by a mixed media piece with wonderful provenance by Kenneth Noland (American, 1924-2010) estimated to earn $4,000 to $6,000.

Turning to the jewelry category finds an impressive black opal and diamond ring set in 18k white gold accented on either side with princess cut diamonds (estimate: $10,000 to $15,000) and a Beaux Arts Era diamond pendant/brooch combination accented with European cut diamonds which is estimated at $8,000 to $10,000. (PHOTO 6).

And finally the Asian offerings will doubtless, once again, command impressive dollars.

Highlights of this category include a collection of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain (PHOTO 7) produced for the Thai market, commissioned by King Rama V (1853-1910) of Thailand. (Provenance: Unaccessioned items from Honolulu Museum of Art).

Of further importance will be a Thai large bronze figure of Buddha Maravijaya, Ayutthaya Period measuring 29'' high and a selection of Japanese Satsuma-style ceramics, including a Japanese Satsuma-style beaker vase, Meiji period, Yasuda company, signed Dai Nihon Kyoto Tojiki Goshigaisha Ryozan, 9.25''h

Lastly, there is a Chinese ink and color on paper attributed to Huang Junbi (Chinese, 1898-1991) entitled Autumn Landscape, dated summer of cyclical year ‘renwu’ (corresponding to 1942).

For complete information of Clars June 16th and 17th, 2012 antiques and fine art auction, please visit www.clars.com; call (510) 428-0100 or email: info@clars.com. Previews for this sale will be held Friday, June 15th, from 1pm to 6pm and 9am each auction day. A full catalog will be available online at www.clars.com prior to the sale.

Bidding for Clars auctions is available in person, by phone, absentee and live online @ www.clars.com, and through www.liveauctioneers.com. Clars Auction Gallery is located at 5644 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609.