Two paintings by Zhang Daqian (Chinese, 1899-1983) will headline Clars December 15th & 16th Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry and Asian Art Auction. Complementing the Daqians will be numerous important and investment level offerings in Asian art, paintings, decorative art and antiques from private collections, institutions and California estates Also to be presented at this sale will be exceptional fine estate jewelry created by some of the major design houses including Cartier and Bulgari. Following are the highlights from this important upcoming sale.

ASIAN FINE ART & ANTIQUES

The Paintings -

Clars is honored to present two important painting by renowned artist and master calligrapher Zhang Daqian. The first work, titled The Lotus Pond, 1967, is one of his signature ink and colors on paper featuring a scholar standing on a bridge amid the lotus pond. [PHOTO 1] This work measures 54.5”h x 26.75”w and was featured on the back cover of the May 10-31, 1970 exhibition catalog at Laky Gallery in Carmel, CA. Over the past few years, works by Zhang Daqian have commanded the international art market. The demand for his work has placed him as one of the top-selling artists at auction surpassing even Picasso in 2017, further confirming the rapidly increasing value of his works. The Lotus Pond will be offered with an estimate of $150,000 - $200,000.

The second Zhang Daqian painting, also an ink on paper, features a scholar on a boat gazing at a waterfall. The right with colophon is dedicated to Kuangwen, cyclical year renchen (=1952) fifth month. This work is signed 'Zhang Daqian Yuan', followed by two seals. [sight: 37"h x 13"w, overall (framed): 50.25"h x 19.25"w.]  This work will be presented with an estimate of $30,000 - $50,000. 

Also to be offered will be a set of two Chinese folding fans by artists Jiang Tingxi (1669-1772) and Wang Youdun (1692-1758). The fans, titled Flowers, are ink and color on paper featuring various flowers. The lower left is signed ‘chen Jiang Tingxi gonghui’ followed by two seals. On the reverse is a poetic inscription in clerical script on gilt flecked paper signed ‘chen Wang Youdun’ followed by two seals. The fans have wooden ribs with inscription heightened in gilt and come with an inscribed wood box. This set will be offered for $8,000 - $12,000. 

Attributed to Ma Hezhi (Chinese, 1131-1161) will be the ink and color on silk titled Scenes of Dynastic Figures. This work, which measures 12.5” high, features ten scenes of Chinese dynastic emperors and historical figures followed by inscriptions. The left bears the signature ‘Fufeng Ma Hezhi’ and seal and will be offered for an estimate of $7,000 - $10,000. 

The Decorative Arts & Antiques

An impressive selection of Chinese jades and hardstone carving will be offered. Topping this selection will be a Chinese jade double vase with matching lids. Each of the vessels is carved with meandering chilongs in relief and flanked by flanges and zoomorphic handles. They are set on a base carved with an inscription along the side and presented on a silver wire inlaid wood stand. This double vase carries an estimate of $7,000 - $10,000. [PHOTO 5]

The second Chinese jade double vase in yellow-green is one lidded urn carved with chilongs in high relief flanked by a smaller square gu-form vase. This double vase will be offered for $6,000 - $9,000.  

In Chinese porcelains, the top offering is expected to be a pair of porcelain vases with a wide mouth and short neck above a tapering ovoid body. The pair is decorated with five children playing various musical instruments in a garden. The base bears the mark ‘Hongxian.’

Rounding out the decorative art will be a collection of Chinese snuff bottles in various mediums including glass, stone, jade and porcelain. Of note in this collection will be a rock crystal inside-painted snuff bottle that bears the signature ‘Zhou Leyuan’ and is dedicated to Zhixuan.

JEWELRY & TIMEPIECES

A rich selection of exceptional fine estate jewelry and timepieces will be offered at this sale. Commanding top billing will be an exquisite jadeite, diamond and 18k yellow gold ring that is estimated at $35,000 - $45,000. [PHOTO 7] An un-mounted pear-cut diamond weighing 4.01 cts will be offered with an estimated of $20,000 - $30,000.

In timepieces and from the finest makers will be two significant examples. The first is a Cartier Ballon Bleu 18k yellow gold wristwatch (Ref. W69001Z2) that will be offered with an estimate of $10,000 - $15,000. [PHOTO 8]

The second timepiece of note is a rare and unusual Patek Philippe 18k yellow gold Lorgnette pendant watch with a 14k yellow gold slide necklace. This fabulous piece carries an estimate of $10,000 - $15,000.

Completing the highlights in this category will be a Bulgari black onyx 18k yellow gold Tubogas bracelet, a 2.68 cts radiant-cut diamond ring, a demantoid garnet and 14k yellow gold Sautoir necklace and a large collection of stickpins in a variety of art designs and mediums.

FINE ART

Clars will be offering a large variety of contemporary prints ranging from Sam Francis’ For the Blue Sons of the Air to Philip Guston’s Studio Corner. One of the highlights will be a Keith Haring screen print from the Pop Shop VI series. The print, which is estimated to sell between $7,000 and $10,000, is a vibrant and clean example of Haring’s heavy lined humanoid forms. [PHOTO 9]

Clars will also be auctioning off three original Andy Warhol polaroids. These works, which are all initialed by the artist, are from the personal collection of Warhol’s former assistant Ronnie Cutrone. Each work has an estimate of $6,000 - $9,000.

DECORATIVE ARTS

The holidays bring out the quest for the finest in luxury and accessories to complement your own collection or to dazzle someone in your life. To be offered at this sale will be a large collection of luxury accessories including handbags by Louis Vuitton and Chanel.

Bidding for Clars’ auctions is available in person, by phone, absentee and live online at Live.Clars.com and through Liveauctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Clars Auction Gallery is located at 5644 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609.

Clars Auction Gallery is based in Oakland (CA) and is the largest full service auction gallery in the Western United States. Clars Auction Gallery has been the chosen auction gallery of a number of institutions and distinguished private collectors across the country including the Richard Mellon Scaife Estate, the Thomas J. Perkins Estate and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC).

In the last 5 years, Clars Auction Gallery has sold over $105,000,000 of Fine Art, Furnishings, Jewelry, Vehicles and Collectibles and has set multiple new world auction records. Follow Clars on Facebook and Twitter!