On Saturday and Sunday, November 12th and 13th, 2011, Clars will bring to the block fine art, furnishings, Asian offerings and rich special collections that will likely even exceed the firm’s November 2010 auction which was the largest in their history. On Sunday evening, November 7th, 2010, President Redge Martin dropped the hammer on the final lot knowing that sale would go into their record books earning over $1.6 million. A look at what is coming this November to Clars fuels the prediction that this sale will surpass last years.

The fine art offerings are exceptional with works by American and California artists headlining this category. Coming from a private collection, one of Wayne Thiebaud’s (California, b. 1920) earliest landscapes, appropriately entitled “Landscape, 1965” is estimated to earn $150,000 to $200,000.  John Fery’s (American, 1859-1934) “Black Feet Glacier, Glacier National Park,” one of his largest oils to ever enter the market, was originally commissioned by the Great Northern Railroad and will now be offered with an estimate of $20,000 to $40,000. “Sailing Boat at Sea”, 1905, an ethereal early oil on canvas on wood by Eustace Ziegler (American, 1881-1969) is estimated at $15,000 to $25,000.

California artists will be represented by William Keith (California, 1838-1911) with an oil on board entitled “Springtime” estimated to earn $15,000 to $25,000. The provenance on this work is highly important as it was purchased from a descendent of one of the daughters of Bartholomew Patrick Oliver. Oliver was a great benefactor to St. Mary's College of California (Moraga, CA). The college's dining hall is named after him (Oliver Hall).

Jumping to the contemporary, “Untitled” by Gordon Onslow Ford (California, 1912-2003), an acrylic on paper mounted on canvas,  carries an estimate of $10,000 to $20,000.

Fine American sculpture to be offered includes Richard MacDonald’s (California, b. 1946) bronze  “Elena Study II,” estimated at $10,000 to $20,000 and “Cabeza Contado” by Elizabeth Catlett (American, b. 1915) is expected to earn the same.

European offerings include a unique mixed media fresco by Pierre Marie Brisson (French, b. 1955) from the estate of Jean Deleage, San Francisco, purchased through Bowles/Sorokko Galleries and Friedensreich Hundertwasser’s (Austrian, 1928-2000)  "Regentag: Look at in on a Rainy Day," 1971-72, portfolio of ten color screenprints with metal imprints.

Turning to furnishings finds a strong focus on the finest mid-century modern designers including Nakashima, Nelson, Ponti, Miller, Frank Lloyd Wright and Knoll. From designer George Nelson for Herman Miler will be a striking marshmallow sofa that carries an estimate of $8,000 to $12,000. From George Nakashima, will be a slab walnut coffee table executed in 1963 for the consignor who paid the hefty price of $300 at the time. Exemplifying furniture becoming art, this work is expected to earn $20,000 to $30,000.

While the art and furnishings categories will offer exceptional works, it is the rich “special collections” that will likely launch this sale over the top.

The first special collection of note is an impressive collection of rare and important ethnographic items from African New Guinea, Dutch Guiana, Native American, and Alaskan and Uzbeck ikats. Several examples of 19th century Dogon, Malu carved figures and masks will be offered as part of this collection.

Fashionistas take note of the next special collection which comes to this auction from a very well dressed London, New York and Beverly Hills socialite. This recent well “heeled” collection will include luxury shoes from Prada, Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci with like luxury handbags so necessary to accessorize. Five highly sought after Hermes Birkin bags, Chanel purses to perfectly complement the vintage Chanel Boutique suits, Dior and Gucci handbags plus an entire case for Louis Vuitton including luggage, purses and wallets. And yes, there’s the jewelry to go with the richness of the clothes and the leather by makers such as Cartier, Rolex, Tiffany and Erte to name just a few.

In September, Clars gained worldwide attention when they offered the exceptional collection of Amelia Earhart memorabilia. The November sale continues this trend with a very expansive collection of early aviation memorabilia. Charles Lindbergh signed photographs, glass plate negatives and a series of gelatin silver prints of the Graf Zeppelin LZ 129 Hindenburg are among the highlights. The Hindenburg photos include the twelve state of its destruction on May 6th, 1937, at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey.  The destruction and aftermath of the USS Shenandoah in 1925 are preserved in seven negatives which will be offered and Amelia Earhart will once again take the block with an autograph book from the USS Roosevelt, the ship that carried Earhart back to America after her famous 1928 flight.

Now a look at the ever-staggering Asian offerings. Joyce Kwong, Asian Art Coordinator at Clars, has assigned estimates knowing they will likely be tempered when actual bidding ensues. The lot to watch in this category will be a Chinese Coromandel twelve-panel screen from the Qing dynasty. Coming from the Christensen Estate, this multi-panel screen depicts figures in a pavilion with a bird-and-flower scene on the verso (estimate $15,000 to $25,000). Also to watch will be a mammoth Chinese ivory tusk carved in high relief with the Queen Mother of the West and entourage which is estimated at $8,000 to $12,000 and an ink and color on paper hanging scroll attributed to Huang Binhong (Chinese, 1864-1955) that carries an estimate of $6,000 to $8,000.

Now to dazzle the eyes with the incredible diamond ring that will take center stage during the jewelry portion of the sale. Conservatively estimated at $70,000 to $90,000, this 18k white gold ring sports a 7.08 round center diamond accented by round and baguette cut diamonds weighing 3 cts.

Whether seeking important art on canvas or art in furniture design, historic memorabilia whose value is timeless or the most exquisite fashions to wear, Clars November 12th and 13th, 2011 will offer it all and the best that there is.

Check back frequently to www.clars.com as other very important special collections and offerings are being added each day for this major auction event.

Clars’ November  Fine Art and Antiques Sale will be held on will be held Saturday, November 12th  @ 9:30am and Sunday, November 13th  @ 10am. Previews for this sale will be Friday, November 11th from 1pm to 6pm and 9am each auction day and by special appointment. 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. To register to bid and for more information, call Clars Auction Gallery at (888) 339-7600, or email: info@clars.com. Clars Auction Gallery is located at 5644 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609.