OAKLAND, CA.- Asian Art department will present two fine modern Chinese watercolor landscape paintings. The first painting is by Ou Haonian (b. 1935) depicting Taipei, Taiwan’s Mount Shamao and the second painting is attributed to 20th century Chinese watercolor master Li Keran (1907-1989) of a village scene. Both paintings hail from the estate of Albert and Aiko Hyderman. Albert Hyderman (1899-1992) was a successful businessman and art collector. Hyderman was the owner of P. Wiest and Son department store in York, Pennsylvania. Hyderman was also a close friend and patron of Thomas Hart Benton, the regionalist painter from Missouri. Upon his retirement, Albert and his family spent many winters residing in Italy and ultimately in Hong Kong where he collected numerous famous Chinese watercolor paintings.

FINE ART

This March Clars will be offering an intriguing piece from the circle of Domḗnikos Theotokópoulos, better known as El Greco, one of the leading figures of Spanish Renaissance painting. El Greco is known for his mannerist modeling of figures, sfumato color palette, and expressionistic compositions which were underappreciated in his own time but have since found recognition for their innovation in the modern era. The piece in the March auction is an oil on canvas painting depicting Christ carrying the cross surrounded by Roman soldiers. Spanish art historian Manuel B. Cossio, an expert on the artist who published the defining treatise on his life and work in 1908, affirmed in a letter dating to 1930 that this depiction of Christ is an original by El Greco. Furthermore, figures in this painting are replicated in other works known to be painted by El Greco, including the figure on horseback as seen in Saint Martin and the Beggar, and the soldier on the far right, who is seen again in The Martyrdom of Saint Maurice. The work in the March sale, ascribed to the circle of El Greco, is estimated at $20,000 to $40,000.

Also featured in the March auction is a mixed media piece by Bay Area figure Roy de Forest. De Forest moved from Washington State to the Bay Area during the 1950s, where he earned two art degrees and began teaching. While working at U.C. Davis, De Forest and his peers exhibited under the heading of Funk Art, and later began the Nut Art movement, which embraced humor and eccentricity. The piece in this month’s auction displays De Forest’s signature use of bright color and faux-naif style, with saturated objects decorating the paper in a seemingly random and playful configuration. This piece by Roy De Forest is estimated at $6,000 to $9,000.

A third highlight in the March auction is a bronze sculpture by American artist Douglas Van Howd, known for his portrayals of the American West. This sculpture, titled Friends of Freedom, depicts a golden eagle leaping from the arm of an Apache man, who stands on a base of genuine petrified wood. First received by Ronald Reagan after being created for the Roosevelt Room of the White House in 1982, this piece comes from an edition of 50. Van Howd’s Western-themed artworks have earned him a following both within and outside of the United States, with Friends of Freedom being a favorite among collectors. This sculpture by Douglas Van Howd is estimated at $10,000 to $15,000.

A work on paper by American Pop Art icon Andy Warhol is also being offeredl. The mixed media piece shows an ice cream cone with scoops of red, pink, and white ice cream atop a cone that is decorated with playful linework reminiscent of Art Nouveau design.This work is one in a series of ice cream-themed designs drawn by Warhol during the 1950s and was likely inspired by the collaborative coloring parties that the burgeoning artist would host at Serendipity 3, the New York dessert café at which he was a lifelong patron. This work by Andy Warhol is estimated at $25,000 to $35,000.

FURNITURE AND DECORATIVE ARTS

Clars Auction Gallery will offer the largest single owner precious metals collection in the gallery's history. This collection includes uncirculated gold coins, silver bars, silver coins, and presentation coins, some in unopened containers. In all, close to forty lots expected to bring more than $750,000. This collection will be a highlight of the fine silver and virtu being offered on March 18, 2023.

FINE JEWLERY

The Fine Jewelry & Timepiece department at Clars Auction Gallery will offer a selection of diamond, colored gemstone and gold jewelry, in their upcoming March 17th sale.

This sale features a variety of wardrobe staples to build up the foundation of your jewelry collection at accessible price points. A nice selection of diamond jewelry in time for bridal season includes a diamond and fourteen karat gold bracelet, estimated at $2,000 – 4,000; a diamond and fourteen karat white gold reviére necklace, estimated at $4,000 – 6,000. As well as a colorful gemstone selection, including a pair of ruby, diamond and eighteen karat white gold earrings, estimated at $1,500-2,500; an untreated black opal, diamond and sapphire ring, estimated at $3,000-5,000. Other wearable timepieces that will highlight your everyday life are featured by an eighteen karat gold wristwatch, Chronograph, Hamilton, estimated at $800- 1,200; a titanium wristwatch, Porsche Design, estimated at $800-1,200.