OAKLAND – A portrait of Queen Margaret of Austria topped Clars Auction Gallery’s March 1 & 2 auction, selling for $16,380*. The sale featured strong offerings in a variety of categories, particularly European paintings, Asian woodblock prints, fine jewelry and antique rugs.
The painting (lot 6355) attracted significant interest, both international and domestic, for its depiction of the Queen in the manner of her court painter, Bartolome Gonzalez (Spanish, 1564-1627). Although the work is a later reproduction, likely from the late 17th century, the finely worked composition shows Queen Margaret wearing one of her prized possessions, a pearl nicknamed “La Peregrina” and now owned by actress Elizabeth Taylor. After a lengthy back-and-forth between two bidders, one participating via telephone and one on the floor, the painting ultimately sold to a European gallery owner.
Other antique European artworks drew attention to Clars’s March sale, fetching strong prices and appealing to international bidders. A small panel portrait of Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy (lot 6177) fetched $5,558 after a flurry of bidding from the floor, the telephone and internet. The piece, also thought to be 17th century, bore a unique French inscription, describing Philip as “the son of the son of the son of the King.” In the portrait, Philip wears the collar of the Catholic Order of the Golden Fleece, which he founded.
Clars’s Asian art offerings also stood out during this weekend’s auction. The sale featured a collection of woodblock prints by Japanese artist Kawase Hasui (1883-1957). Hasui’s iconic print “Zojoji Temple, Shiba [in Snow]” (lot 6483) realized $5,558. The print, dated 1925, was offered alongside several other works by Hasui, including the striking “Hoshizukiyo (Miyajima) [Starlit Night (Miyajima Shrine)]” (lot 6482), which fetched $1,404. These print sales highlighted the strength of the modern Japanese print market. In April, Clars will further explore this trend by offering another strong collection of Hasui and other modern prints.
As usual, Clars’s fine jewelry collection drew significant interest during the March auction, as well. A dazzling, 18k white gold ring (lot 7015) featuring one brilliant cut 3.07 ct. diamond and 12 baguette-cut diamonds was certainly the highlight of the group, realizing $12,287.
Traditional antiques also fared well this past weekend. A stunning, raspberry-colored Persian Sarouk rug (lot 6205), dating to around 1920, sold for $8,875, while a more sedate, earth-toned, Sewan Kazak (lot 6100) from the same time period fetched $6,435. Additionally, a Victorian Aesthetic Movement clock in the Orientalist taste (lot 6195), sold to an online bidder in Bahrain for $4400.
Clars’s April 5&6 auction will feature important European and Californian paintings and prints, Asian art and art objects, as well as furniture, decoratives and fine estate jewelry.
Complete information, photos and lot descriptions will be available at www.clars.com prior to the sale. Preview is available Friday, April 4th from 1pm to 6pm and 9am each auction day. Bidding at Clars is available in person, online through eBay Live Auctions/www.liveauctioneers, by phone and absentee. Clars Auction Gallery is located at 5644 Telegraph Avenue in Oakland, CA. (888) 339-7600 or (510) 428-0100.
* Please note that all of the prices listed include Clars’s buyer’s premium
