Clars' February 15 and 16, 2014 Fine Art, Antiques and Estates Auction will go down in their history as the largest sale to date, realizing almost $3.3 million with over $1.3 million realized on the property offered from the important Gerber estate from Reno (NV). After the sale, President Redge Martin commented, “It was also one of our longest sales due to the huge crowds in the saleroom, very strong Internet interest and so much bidding.” The pre-sale interest in this sale was very notable as 3,000 people attended the previews and 47,000 viewed the catalog online. During the two-day sale, 900 live bidders were registered and 4,500 signed up online to participate.

 THE ASIAN CATEGORY

While each of the categories performed beyond expectation, it was the Asian category that stunned both staff and crowd. Coming from The Gerber estate, were 14 lots of Chinese hardwood Vietnamese huanghuali furniture ranging from tables, to chairs, screens and cabinets. Overall, the lots offered in this collection carried pre-sale estimates of $1,000 to $8,000 but those were left in the dust once the furious bidding began for each piece offered. The top seller in this collection and the sale overall was a pair of huanghuali and mixed wood cabinets which achieved the astonishing price of $245,000. The second highest in this collection was a table and four chairs that sold for $179,000 followed by a pair of cabinets that sold for $131,000 and a table, the top inset with floating panels, which brought $101,000. In total, this 14 piece collection achieved $1,156,000. A second offering of the huanghuali furniture from this estate will be offered at Clars March 16, 2014 auction.

 FINE ART

The Fine Art Category had a record setting day achieving the highest U.S. price to date on a work by Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri (Australia, 1932-2002) titled “Possum Dreaming,” achieving a very impressive $131,000. 

 Coming from the Ruttenberg Collection of Chicago, three works by sculptor Richard Howard Hunt (American, b. 1935) all flew past high estimate with the highest selling for $27,000. Furthering the sculpture offerings, Sphère-trame from 1962 by Francois Morrelet, also commanded an above estimate price of $18,000.

 The haunting painting of the famous Blue Dog seated atop an unmarked grave by George Rodrigue (American, 1944-2013) went well past it's high estimate to settle at $48,000. Theodoros Stamos’ (American/Greek, 1922-1997), Petroglyph (1947), achieved the strong price of $39,000, in the 20th century American paintings category.

 Early California paintings proved strong as well with “Estuary Home,” by William Henry Clapp (American, 1879-1954), leading the pack achieving $20,000 and Maynard Dixon’s (American, 1875-1946), “Little Home,” 1937, realized an impressive $18,000.

 After being held in a private collection for almost five decades, a dynamic work by Adolf Schreyer (German, 1828-1899) titled “The Imperial Courier,” achieved a price of $17,000, indicating that quality 19th century paintings remain a good investment.

 DECORATIVE ARTS & FURNISHINGS

The main event in this category was the exceptional art glass, most of which came from the Gerber estate and included a host works from artists and studios including Lundberg, Orient & Flume, David Lindsay, Michael Nourot, Steve Smyers, Zellique, and Lee Hudin.  One hundred eighty plus lots of paperweights, vases, bowls, chargers, stemware, and Brilliant cut crystal realized $71,000.  From another estate, was a Dante Marioni (American b. 1964) monumental art glass group that sold for $13,000.

 The sterling offered had a 99% sell through, which included over ten lots of Burmese silver from the Gerber estate. This collection of bowls, boxes, and hanging plaques realized a total of $16,000. An American Neo-Renaissance Gorham coin silver five piece hot beverage service, by John William Tucker, San Francisco, CA, 1850-1886, and a Tiffany & Company Victorian style sterling silver tea kettle on stand, both achieved $6,000. A Late 19th century Japanese sterling silver teapot fetched $6,500. 

 The market showed appreciation for a R. Williamson (Chicago) leaded glass and patinated bronze floor lamp, Chicago circa 1900 that sold for $14,000; an Antique Persian Bidjar carpet, circa 1900, 17'11" x 11'8" that sold for $12,000; and a French Louis XV style bronze mounted bureau à rognon, 19th century, that achieved $10,000.

The “showstopper” in this category however, was certainly the 2001 Ferrari 360 Modena Spider. Sporting the deepest and richest blue and having only 10,500 original miles, this marvel of motordom zoomed off for a smooth $95,000

THE PEGGY FLEMING COLLECTION

Significant pieces of Olympic and skating memorabilia from Ms. Fleming’s personal collection were offered and achieved wonderful results. Her Lady’s Rolex Datejust President 18k yellow gold wristwatch achieved $11,000 and a pair of her custom-made ice skates by Harlick of California sold for $3,000. In all, these select offerings skated away for over $15,000.

 ANTIQUE AND ESTATE FINE JEWELRY

Diamonds were among the Clars’ best friends on February 16th. An oval cut diamond and 14k white gold ring sporting one oval cut diamond weighing 3.80cts sold for $18,000[PHOTO 10]. A 2.27 cts cushion cut diamond and platinum ring also sold for $18,000 followed by a 4.01 cts marquise cut diamond and platinum ring that sold very nicely for $14,000.

 For more information and a complete list of prices realized for Clars February 15 and 16, 2014 sale, visit www.clars.com, email: info@clars.com or call (510) 480-0100.

 Clars’ next Fine Art, Jewelry and Decoratives Auction will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16, 2014. The sales will begin promptly at 9:30am. Previews for this sale will be held Friday, March 14th from 1pm to 6pm and 9am each auction day and by appointment. A complete catalog will be available online one week 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 and http://www.artfact.com. Clars Auction Gallery is located at 5644 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609.