OAKLAND, CA.- Starting today Clars Auction Gallery is holding a two-day sale of a selection of works from a variety of subjects. On day 1 Winter Furniture, Art and Jewelry launch the event, and on day 2 Fine Asian Art & European Décor Auction.

Furniture and Decorative Arts: The auction will showcase a diverse range of items, including Mayan style carved vessels, Native American pottery, Patriano Barela carved sculptures and Kachina figures. Additionally, English and German sterling silver, gold and silver coins, fine porcelain dinner services, and glass stemware and vases from renowned makers and artisans such as Moser, St. Louis, Michael Nourot, and Marialyn Hawke will be featured. The auction will also present a variety of antique decorative arts, furniture, and rugs, as well as a contemporary furniture collection from an exclusive St. Helena winery. To round out the holiday season, a delightful selection of oversized stuffed animals and a miniature Christmas house will be available.

Fine Art: Clars Auction Gallery is offering a selection of works from diverse and talented artists this December, with highlights by three painters whose influence can still be seen in contemporary art today. First, we are excited to present an oil on canvas portrait by African-American artist Bob Thompson. Thompson was active in the bustling mid-century art scene in New York City and is known for his colorful figurative paintings that blend traditional Renaissance and Baroque composition with the energy and experimentation of 20th century Abstract Expressionism. In the painting offered in this month’s sale, titled “Portrait of a Lady,” we see a woman with a disproportionately large head and an aloof expression. Thompson marries traditional portraiture conventions, like the three-quarter view of the subject and the bust-length focus, with abstracted elements of shadow, color, and dimension to create a distinctive and unique image.

Second, we are featuring a striking work by celebrated Chinese-American artist Hung Liu. Liu was born in Changchun, China in 1948, and emigrated to California in 1984, where she experimented with different methods and media to create a signature painting style. The mixed media work in this month’s auction, titled “Yellow Current,” is an outstanding example of this style, for which Liu is best known. The image shows a bust view of a young Chinese woman in a fuchsia robe against a golden-yellow background, with Liu’s trademark technique of using a wash of linseed oil over heavy brushstrokes, which we see here giving a drippy, melting, almost underwater appearance to the composition.

Lastly, we offer an oil on canvas genre scene from American Impressionist Edward Potthast. Potthast was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and studied in Paris and Munich before settling in New York City. He worked primarily as a lithographer during his early career, only shifting his focus to painting at age 39. Potthast was likely stylistically influenced by his European studies, as techniques of French Impressionists including Monet, Renoir, and Berthe Morisot can be seen in Potthast’s work. The painting in this month’s sale is a beach scene, the subject for which Potthast is most known. Figures are gathered in groups on a sunny seaside, seated on blankets and under umbrellas, with emphasis on painterly brushstrokes and soft yet vibrant colors. The atmosphere is relaxed, warm, and inviting, a trademark of Potthast’s work.

Jewelry: The Fine Jewelry & Timepiece department at Clars Auction Gallery is excited to offer a selection of diamond, colored gemstone gold jewelry, and timepieces, in their upcoming December 15th sale. This sale features a variety of wardrobe staples to build up the foundation of your jewelry collection and elevate your festive celebrations. A nice selection of diamond jewelry, including a diamond and 14k gold wedding ring set, estimated at $3,000-5,000. As well as a colorful gemstone selection, including a ruby, diamond and 14k gold brooch by Seaman Schepps, estimated at $5,000-7,000. Other wearable pieces that will highlight your everyday life are featured by includes a diamond, onyx and platinum dog brooch, estimated $7,000-10,000, complemented by classic timepieces including a Patek Philippe 18k gold 'Calatrava' wristwatch, estimated at $6,000-8,000.

Asian Art: The Asian Art department will have its year-end offerings of fine Chinese and Japanese works of art sourced from various private collections and estates. The auction is highlighted by a set of three Chinese ‘qianjiang’ enameled ‘landscape’ plaques by the famous late Qing dynasty porcelain artisan Cheng Men (1838-1908), a late Qing dynasty imperial style zitan lantern, a pair of huanghuali lantern stands, a late Qing dynasty silver-inlaid bronze figure of Guanyin bearing the Shisou mark, a late Qing dynasty uncut purple ground ‘dragon’ robe, a Qing dynasty white jade ruyi scepter, and a magnificent Japanese Meiji period Shibayama lacquered shodana.

European Décor: Featuring a diverse range of items, including unique pieces such as an elephant telephone, brandy barrel, writing box and tobacco jars. Silverware, fine porcelains, art glass, and decorative bronzes will also be available. The auction will showcase a variety of furniture styles, from Georgian and Spanish Revival to Arts & Crafts, Art Deco, Modern, and Contemporary. Additionally, a selection of tribal arts, Native American pottery, Inuit carvings, and carpets will be on offer.

Day 1: December 15, Winter Furniture, Art and Jewelry Auction at 9:30am
Day 2: December 16, Fine Asian Art & European Décor Auction at 9:30am
Previews: Thursday December 15, 1pm – 5pm