Clars Auction Gallery’s May 21 and 22, 2016 sale of Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furnishings, Jewelry and Asian Art will feature numerous important investment level collections and individual offerings from premier collections and estates. The May 2016 sale is tracking to be one of the most important in the firm’s history and the Fine Art and Decorative Art to be offered will draw global attention and bidding.

FINE ART

On Sunday, May 22nd, Clars will be offering a spectacular array of late 20th century Contemporary fine art from one of the world’s premiere collectors, Allan Stone. Spanning half a century, this New York and San Francisco-based dealer amassed works by the most talented abstract and realism artists of their generation.                                                                                         

One of these featured highlights is an oil on canvas by Lorraine Shemesh (American, b. 1949) titled, Criss-Cross (1995). Lorraine Shemesh often paints in monumental scale, especially in her series of swimmers. She beautifully captures the twists and turns of limbs when underwater, capturing the nuanced portrayal of swimming bodies. The painting, Criss Cross, epitomizes Shemesh’s style and is estimated at $20,000-40,000. 

A master of Realism, Stephen Cornelius Roberts’ (American, b. 1952) large painting titled, Painting of LM (1990), exemplifies a genre that will leave the viewer in awe by the painstaking meticulousness of the artist’s ability to show every detail of the composition. His highly realistic paintings are both visually striking and provide new possibilities of the nude figure in contemporary painting. Roberts cites Michelangelo, Rubens, and Velasquez as some of his influences. Painting of LM is an ideal homage to these artists and is estimated at $40,000-60,000.          

Born in Sacramento, California, Jerry McLaughlin’s (American, b. 1925) paintings lie somewhere between abstraction and realism, yet his work defies categorization. McLaughlin’s paintings are densely packed with various objects that at first seem recognizable but, upon closer inspection, have no actual reference to reality. Forms that can be either organic life or manmade objects commingle in a cacophonous other world that is insistently frontal, demanding to be dissected. These paintings have been compared to a certain type of popular painting in the 19th century, a “fool-the-eye realism,” where various objects, recognizable or not, were presented in upright, frontal manner. The complex and mesmerizing painting, Conundrum (1989), estimated at $10,000-15,000, is one such example by the artist that will be featured at Clars on Sunday, May 22nd.

Three-dimensional work was a much sought after category and one that was well represented in Allan Stone’s impressive collection. The large scale ceramic sculpture titled, Another Day in Paradise (KAIROS), 1989, by Dennis Clive (American, b. 1950), is over 64 inches wide. Marvelous at a distance, the true extent of Clive’s abilities are only visible close-up, when the scrutiny paid to details like undercarriages, windshield reflections, and the shapes of rivets, are most apparent. Estimated $20,000-40,000, Another Day in Paradise (KAIROS), is a chance to own one of Clive’s nostalgic works. 

Also from the collection of Allan Stone is the acrylic on canvas, Untitled (1987), by Kazuko Inoue (American/Japanese, b. 1946). This vibrant painting is truly a monumental piece that exudes pure color. Inoue creates canvases that are lyrical, austere, and subtle, yet compelling. The basic structure in Inoue’s work features varied colors and tones that play off of each other, encouraging the eye to bounce around the canvas. Estimated at $22,000-35,000, Untitled (1987) is a ‘must have’ for any collector. 

Exceptional Contemporary works from other collectors will also impress on May 22nd. A mixed media on canvas by abstract artist Robert Kelly (American, b. 1956) titled, Dressmaker Bones VII (1997), is estimated at $8,000-12,000. Two vibrant and complex works will be available by popular California painter Gordon Onslow Ford (American/British, 1912-2003) titled, The Other Shore (1965) estimated at $20,000-40,000 and Traveling Seed (1980) at $15,000-20,000. Always at outperformer, Clars is pleased to feature another colorful painting, Untitled, by Giorgio Cavallon (American, 1904-1989) for $12,000-18,000. The French artist, Auguste Herbin (French, 1882-1960), who helped to shape the development of Modernism at the beginning of the 20th century, will also be featured with a vibrant gouache on paper titled, Mouvement Coloré.

Modern sculpture will be well represented too with a charming, painted wood sculpture by Louise Nevelson (American, 1899-1988) titled, Face (1951). This work will be offered at $15,000-20,000 and the sale of this piece will benefit the Oakland Museum of California. Brazilian sculptor, Sergio Camargo’s (1930-1990) carrara marble piece, Untitled, estimated at $20,000-30,000, exemplifies the artist’s use of smooth lines and geometric forms.

And for those of you who thought “Trader Vic” only brought us Mai Tais, exotic Tiki drinks and fabulous Polynesian cuisine, think again. Trader Vic, aka, Victor J. Bergeron (America, 1902-1984), was also an accomplished sculptor and his works stand today in front of numerous California institutions. One of his most highly regarded works was his bronze sculpture titled Dolphins which were installed in the Roundabout inside the Steinhart Aquarium, Golden Gate Park, in San Francisco. Dolphins will be offered for $4,000 - $6,000.

Classic American and European fine art from the late 19th century and early 20th century will also be available at Clars Important May 22ndauction. One highlight is a spectacular painting by William Merritt Chase (American, 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 Fish, Apple, and Bowl, Chase exemplifies this talent in capturing all the items of this composition. This oil on canvas will be offered at $20,000-40,000. Offered at $40,000-60,000, the monumental oil on canvas by Royal Academy member,  Edwin Longsden Long (British, 1829-1891) titled Claudius Appears Before the Senate (1869), will surely impress collectors of this genre of British art with its dramatic subject matter and meticulously trained technique. Clars is pleased yet again to be offering another idyllic painting of the French countryside by Impressionist artist, Albert Marquet (French, 1875-1947) titled, Le Parc, with an estimate of $20,000-40,000.

In the photography offerings Clars is pleased to announce a rare cyanotype photogram by botanist and photography pioneer, Anna Atkins (British, 1799-1871), entitled "Peiris Grandifolia.”  Atkins is famously known for self-publishing the first photographically illustrated book in 1843, using all cyanotypes. In addition to several impressive works deaccessioned from the Art Institute of Chicago by Yasuhiro Ishimoto (American/Japanese, 1921-2012), Clars will also offer many significant works by Ruth Bernhard, Brett Weston, Edward Weston, Cindy Sherman, and several FSA photographers. The photography sale will culminate with a newly discovered photograph by Robert Mapplethorpe (American, 1946-1989), Untitled (The Jockstrap), 1978, being offered for $3,000-$5,000. This photograph will certainly grab collector’s attention considering the timing of its sale with concurrent major Los Angeles retrospectives of the artist’s work at the Getty and LACMA Museums, as well as the critically acclaimed HBO documentary on the artist’s life, “Mapplethrope: Look at the Pictures.”

DECORATIVE ART AND FURNISHINGS

An impressive selection of clocks will be offered, highlighted by a magnificent pair of rare Chinese ormolu bronze automaton clocks from the Guangzhou Workshop. [PHOTO 6] This extremely rare pair of matching Chinese automaton clocks was originally presented to a local Chinese family as a gift in the 1920s and fortunately have never been separated.  The gilt bronze cases are highly decorated with bold flower reliefs, retaining original gold plating still found in the case details, as the automaton plays, long tree leaves open up like an umbrella to reveal the hidden immortal figures rotating around the center where there are spinning twisted glass tubes, simulating a waterfall, and on the tier below is another group of figures carrying all different forms of treasures, again another representation of Good Wishes for Fortune and Longevity, and havinga large brass movement with signature engravings on the back plate. These clocks will be offered as a set for $200,000 - 400,000.

Furthering the important Decorative Arts to be offered will be an important Viennese enamel and gilt silver Nef boat, having a mermaid support, which is estimated to achieve $30,000-50,000. [PHOTO 7] In addition, a pair of Viennese enamel and silver vases, each having a baluster form and decorated with classical figural scenes, 19th century, will be offered for $15,000-20,000.

The sterling silver offerings of the sale will be highlighted by a George III silver and cut glass epergne, Birmingham, 1802, by Matthew Boulton, which is estimated at at $10,000-15,000. There will also be a large selection of fine carpets including an Antique Serapi carpet, circa 1900, estimated at $5,000-7000.

Modern furniture will highlight the furniture offerings with a Philip and Kelvin Laverne patinated bronze low table taking the lead with a $10,000-15,000 estimate. Also from this genre will be a John Dickinson light fixture executed for a Pacific Heights, San Francisco (CA) residence.

Clars is also very honored to have been selected to represent the sale of iconic works from the historic Morrison Planetarium in San Francisco. Built in 1952, the Morrison Planetarium housed the most technically advanced star projector in the world and for over 50 years, the star theatre captivated over 10 million visitors with a glimpse into the celestial universe. The vaulted white dome of the theatre was encircled with over 60 metal cutouts artistically designed as buildings, bridges and other San Francisco Bay Area landmarks. With light from the theatre, they projected striking silhouettes against the white dome. On Sunday, May 22nd, over 60 of these artistic metal cutout of iconic San Francisco Bay Area scenes will be sold in group lots with each panel estimated at $200 – 400. Furthering the San Francisco Bay Area icons of history to be offered at this important sale will be a piece of a plaster column from the Palace of Fine Arts that was created for the San Francisco World’s Fair in 1915. This historic architectural element will be offered for $1,000 to 2,000.

And rounding out the other special items to be offered will be a rare steam assisted ship’s wheel steering mechanism model, 19th century, which comes to the sale as part of a large selection of 19th century steam models from an important Bay Area Peninsula, CA collection.

ASIAN ART AND ANTIQUES

In the Asian category, the highlight will be a pair of Chinese cloisonné enameled white elephants, caparisoned and supporting a turquoise vase featuring stylized lotus. From the Qing dynasty, the symbolism behind this combination of motifs is that with the elephants represent good fortune and the Chinese words for vase (ping) and peace are homonyms. They will be offered for $10,000-15,000.  In jades, there will be a selection from the Ming and Qing dynasties, including libation cups, bowls and vases, with estimates ranging from $2,000 – 4,000 each. In addition, an assortment of Chinese ceramics, including monochromes and enameled porcelain will be offered

JEWELRY AND TIMEPIECES

Rolex, Patek Philippe and diamonds will headline this category. A gentleman's Rolex Day-Date, President, 18k yellow gold wristwatch, ref: 1803, circa 1959, is expected to fetch $5,000 - 7,000. A lady's Patek Philippe Twenty-4 diamond and stainless steel wristwatch, circa 2000/2001, will be offered for $5,000 – 7,000 and a pair of diamond and platinum double clip brooches from the 1950’s, with total diamond weight 9.35 cts, will be offered for  $7,000-10,000. 

Clars’ May 2016 Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry/Timepieces and Asian Art Auction will be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 21st  and 22nd, 2016. The sales will begin promptly at 9:30am on Saturday and Sunday. Previews for this sale will be held Friday, May, 20th  from 1pm to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9:00 am and by appointment the week prior. 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

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.  

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