This important event will be held on Saturday, September 11th and Sunday, September 12th, 2010 and will have the attention of collectors world-wide focused on Clars.
One of the most massive and rare granular crystalline gold specimens ever mined will have gold collectors around the globe captivated. Named the “Siskiyou Dragon” for its dragon-like form, this specimen weighs 25.26 Troy ounces and measures 7.5” long by 2.25” high and 2.25” wide. Discovered in the early 1990s in the Siskiyou County California Gold Field, this piece has been assigned a presale estimate of $100,000 to $150,000.
To see the video of this magnificent piece: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoFtm8VTszs
Many of the important consignments to this two-day sale come from the Patrick Curry Collection of Northern California. Curry, an internationally renowned collector of the finest continental porcelain, amassed his collection over 60 years. His collection includes rare examples of Royal Vienna, Sevres, Meissen, KPM and Limoges. Two Royal Vienna painted urns which he particularly cherished are estimated to sell for $8,000 to $12,000. A stunning and monumental Sevres urn fitted with oil lamp is a true collector’s piece. From the Curry Estate will also be Royal Vienna plates, many signed “Wagner” as well as KPM and Continental porcelain plaques. Coming from another estate is an Otto Poertzel bronze titled “The Aristocrats” which is expected to earn $25,000 to $35,000.
Curry’s sterling collection includes Reed and Barton’s rare “Love Disarmed” flatware service for 12 (estimate $6,000 to $8,000). Furthering the extensive silver offerings at this sale will be works from makers including Tiffany, Gorham, Peruvian, Versace and Chinese Export.
Over the course of Saturday and Sunday, an impressive selection of fine furniture will be offered. Spanning Continental antiques to Mid-Century Modern, competitive bidding will no doubt be seen on the very rare cocktail table in the Egyptian taste by Phillip Laverne estimated at $7,000 to $9,000. A wonderful pair of American Art Deco armchairs, circa 1930 by Paul Philippe Cret will also be offered. These chairs were once used at the Cincinnatti Union Terminal. Also, of importance will be a Tom Ford and William Sofield lounge chair, a collaborative work that was commissioned by Yves Saint Laurent in 2000. This is one of three prototypes created. Tom Ford was the head of design at Gucci.
The extensive art category will feature amazing works from American and European listed artists. Headlining this category will be a major work by Granville Redmond (Californian, 1871-1935). Titled “View From Hilltop,” this signed work measures 21.5” high by 27.5” wide. The art department at Clars has assigned a presale estimate of $100,000 to $150,000 on this work.
Among the other renowned Californian and American art to be sold will be a framed oil on newsprint on canvas titled “Profile in a Blue Hat” attributed to Willem estimated at $80,000 to $120,000. “Yosemite Waterfall” by Thomas Hill (1829-1908) is expected to earn $20,000 to $30,000 and from Selden Connor Gile (Californian, 1877-1947) a painting of boats moored at a dock illuminated by morning light is estimated at $20,000 to $30,000. An unframed gelatin silver print photograph by Ansel Adams (Californian, 1902-1984) titled “Painted Lady from Rae Lakes” is estimated at $15,000 to $25,000, and will be offered along with two other works by Adams. Frank Tenney Johnson’s (Californian, 1874-1939) study “Moonlight in the Canyon” in cowhide-embellished frame carries and estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. A framed oil and mixed media on canvas by Enrico Donati (American, 1909-2008) titled “Curtain Call VII” is estimated to bring $30,000 to $40,000. “O Natura”, an unframed acrylic on canvas by Gordon Onslow Ford (Californian, 1912-2003) has been estimated to bring $40,000 to $60,000. Clars will also be offering a work attributed to Jackson Pollock (American, 1912-1956) titled “Rhythm Dancers”, with an estimate of $80,000 to $120,000.
European artists will also be finely represented. A framed work attributed to French artist Georges Braque (1882-1963) is executed in oil on canvas. “Le Joy”, which bears the signature “Braque” at center right, is estimated to earn $80,000 to $120,000. A framed oil on canvas showing a lakeside town blanketed with snow attributed to Dutch artist Louis Apol (1850-1936) is estimated to sell for $8,000 to $12,000, as is “Zaandam, Holland”, by Charles Leickert (Belgian, 1818-1907).
Among the fine works on paper will be “Natura Morta”, drawn in ink by Giorgio Morandi (Italian, 1890-1964) and estimated at $20,000 to $30,000, and two framed gouaches on newspaper by Alfredo Ramos Martinez (Mexican, 1871-1946) showing women with flowers, estimated at $25,000 to $35,000. A group of 12 framed gouache and watercolor sketches by Maynard Dixon (Californian, 1875-1946), purportedly submitted as a mural proposal to the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, is expected to bring $15,000 to $20,000. There will also be a framed watercolor and gouache work attributed to Marc Chagall (French, 1887-1985) of a vase of flowers, titled “Vence” (estimate: $20,000 to $30,000).
Clars has earned an international reputation for solid prices earned in their Asian category. Among the anticipated highlights in this category are a collection of Chinese figural carvings, a “tianhuang” soapstone boulder, a carved jade boulder measuring 13” high and a large Korean wood treasure cabinet from the Joseon Dynasty. In addition, there will be Japanese Satsuma and Satsuma-style ware.
Rounding out this amazing two-day event will be their fine jewelry category. An exquisite Pink Diamond ring is anticipated to fetch well beyond $100,000. There will also be an excellent selection of watches and fine vintage and estate jewelry.
A very special costume jewelry collection will also be offered. Totaling approximately 100 lots, this collection includes an extensive selection of Eisenburg plus pieces from makers Hattie Carnegie, Elizabeth Taylor, Simpson, Coro, Hobe’ and more.
Clars September Fine Estates sale will offer over 2,000 lots of the finest antique, vintage and contemporary works. The sale will be held Saturday, September 11th @ 9:30am and Sunday, September 12th @ 10am. Preview for this important sale will be Friday, September 10th from 1pm to 6pm, 9am each auction day and by special appointment.
Bidding for this sale is available in person, by phone, absentee and live online @ www.clars.com. To register to bid and more information, call Clars Auction Gallery at (888) 339-7600, or email: [email protected].
Clars Auction Gallery 5644 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609
For a complete list of lots to be sold, visit www.clars.com
