OAKLAND, CA.- Several of the exceptional fine art works presented at Clars December 15th sale solidly outperformed expectations as did a number of the Asian and fine jewelry lots that were offered. The investment level property to be presented came from prominent California estates as well as museums, private institutions and special collections.

Fine Art
An important work by Shakir Ali (Pakistan, 1916-1975) took the lead at this sale. Shakir is regarded as the pioneer of modern art in Pakistan and one of the great artists of the 20th century. His oil on board titled Still Life with a Yellow Mug, 1958, earned an impressive $61,500, surpassing its presale estimate.

Celebrating the winter holiday season, a beautiful snowy New York scene by Guy Carleton Wiggins, (American, 1883-1962) soared well past its high estimate. His oil on board titled Avenue at the Library, was expected to fetch $40,000 but soared to $58,425.

A work by Austrian painter Franz Richard Unterberger (1838–1902) performed impressively as well. Unterberger is best known for his scenic paintings of Italy and San Barnaba, Venezia, his oil on canvas depicting the canals of Venice sold for $58,425.

Four color woodblock prints by Gustave Baumann (American/German, 1881-1971) were presented and all soared past their high estimates. The first, Silver Sky, 1935, was offered for $4,000 – 6,000 but quickly jumped to the final sale price of $16,000. Following suit was his work titled The Sandias, 1921 which sold for twice its expectation fetching an impressive $14,760. Rounding out the Baumann offerings was Night of the Fiesta-Taos, 1924, that also doubled its high estimate selling for $10,455 and lastly, Santo Domingo, 1924, achieving $8,600 – making the grand total for all an impressive $50,000 sold by the artist.

The oil on canvas titled Golden Landscape by Henrietta Berk (American, 1919-1990) also outperformed. Offered for $10,000 – 15,000, this work of bold colors fetched $17,220.

Rounding out the Fine Art highlights was a stunning oil on canvas by James Weeks (American, 1922-1998) titled Maine Landscape, 1969-75. Once again, bidders vied strongly for this work finally selling for $19,680.

The Asian Art & Antiques
Numerous Asian lost soared to unexpected prices at this sale. Topping this category was a Chinese carved white jade censer that earned an impressive $18,450.

A Chinese tripod bronze censer offered during the Saturday session also jumped to unexpected heights when it sold for $7,995 against it $500 presale estimate.

Following this trend was a Chinese cast bronze xuande censer that flew to double its estimate selling for $9,225. A real surprise was had on a Chinese Jian ‘Hare’s Fur’ tea bowl. Expected to bring $1,200, this bowl leapt to the final sale price of $9,840.

Rounding out the highlights in the category was pair of beautifully carved hardwood chairs that sold nicely for $10,455.

The Jewelry & Timepieces
It was a strong sale for the Fine Jewelry & Timepieces department with competitive bidding throughout the evening. The highlight was an adorable and beautifully carved agate, sapphire and 14k yellow gold French bulldog pendant which inspired active bidding on the floor, on the phones and on-line. The final sale price of $4,920 far exceeded the pre-sale estimate of $500-700.

A sparkling 3.55 ct. oval-cut diamond and platinum ring also performed strongly garnering a final sale price of $9,840 which exceeded its $5,000-7,000 pre-sale estimate.

Other notable lots were a dazzling emerald, diamond and 18k white gold necklace that sold for $17,220. The matching earrings earned $6,765. A beautiful and vibrant blue sapphire, diamond and 18K yellow gold ring with an AGL report stating Sri Lankan origin with no heat brought $12,300.

The collection of stickpins also performed very well, with the star lot of six whimsical moonstone, garnet, turquoise, silver and metal insect stickpins selling for $1,968 over a pre-sale estimate of $300-500.

The timepiece section of the sale also performed very well with two Rolex Day-Date President 18k yellow gold wristwatches selling for $14,760 and $7,995 respectively. A Patek Philippe 18k rose gold wristwatch, Ref. 2461, sold nicely for $8,610 and an 18k yellow gold Calatrava wristwatch brought $5,535.

Clars’ will kick off the New Year on January 18th and 19th with their Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry and Asian Art Auction. The sales will begin promptly at 9:30 am on Saturday and Sunday. Previews for this sale will be held Friday, January 17th from 1 pm to 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9:00 am and by appointment the week prior.

Bidding for Clars’ auctions is available in person, by phone, absentee and live online at Live.Clars.comand through Liveauctioneers.comand Invaluable.com.