OAKLAND, CA.- Clars’ December 7 and 8, 2013 Fine Art and Antiques Auction exceeded all expectations realizing over $1.4 million, the strongest December sale in the firm’s history. After the sale, President Redge Martin commented, “The buying was extremely strong across the board, almost resembling the way it was before the recession. Both preview attendance and online absentees gave us no indication that this would be the strongest December auction in our history. Overall, we are very pleased to finish the calendar year up 26% over last year with just under $15 million in total sales.”

ASIAN ART AND ANTIQUES
The Asian Category performed particularly well with just under $400,000 in sales fueled in great part by the Chinese furniture from a Reno (NV) estate. A Chinese wooden cabinet featuring a pair of openwork lattice double doors was expected to sell for $450 but earned an astounding $41,650. This was followed by another Chinese wood cabinet with rounded corners fronted by a pair of hinged double doors. Also expected to achieve $450 on the high side, this cabinet flew out the door for $38,675. Following this well-over-estimate trend, a Chinese four panel cinnabar lacquer screen from the Honolulu Museum of Art, earned twice its high estimate selling for $32,725 and a Chinese wooden settee with lattice patterned back and arms, sold for $29,750 against its high estimate of $15,000.

FINE ART
Fine Art also had two offerings that placed in the top ten of the sale. An oil on canvas titled “Place de la Madeliene,” by Edouard Leon Cortes (French, 1882-1969), more than doubled its high estimate selling for $35,700. Earning the second highest art price was an oil on board by Mary Jane Peale (American, 1827-1902) titled “Still Life with Flowers and Fruit.” Expected to achieve a high of $8,000, this work brought an impressive $16,660.

Rounding out the Fine Art highlights, “California Landscape,” an oil on board by Eyvind Earle (American b.1916) sold for solidly over estimate for $6,545 and earning more than four times high estimate, the oil on canvas by Henry Cleenewerck (American/Belgian, 181-1901) titled “Indian Encampment in Yosemite,” achieved $5,950. Selling for nicely within estimate was “The Willow Cottage, Normandy,” and oil on canvas by Louis Aston Knight (American, 1873-1948). This work achieved $7,140.

DECORATIVE ARTS AND FURNISHINGS
A stunning surprise was had on the top lot in this category. A Russian .875 silver seven personal tea set (lot of 8), Neo-Renaissance, by Mikhail Fyoderovich Sokolov, Moscow, 1860-1890, was estimated to earn $2,000. Heated bidding for this set fueled the final sale price to $20,230.

A special offering in this sale was the extraordinary and unique lifetime collection of long-time Oakland resident and business owner, Jeff Sahadi. The Sahadi Collection was comprised of important Oakland and California photography, maps, ephemera, and memorabilia and was likely one of the largest private collections of Oakland historical documents and photographs ever compiled. Overall this collection achieved just under $100,000. The top lot was a lot of two boxes filled with a large and extensive collection of primarily stereo views, some circa 1860-1880, printed by various photographers, of Oakland and Alameda County landmarks, landscapes and city views. Expected to achieve $1,200, this important collection sold for $10, 115.

THE JEWELRY
The fine antique and estate jewelry offered was exceptional and buyers took note. Taking 6th place in the sale overall was a stunning Art Deco diamond and platinum bracelet that sold for $27,370. Taking 7th place, was an equally stunning Van Cleef & Arpels Art Deco diamond and platinum brooch, signed Van Cleef & Arpels, Paris 22462. This splendid piece went out the door for $23,800. Also selling for exceptionally well was a diamond and 18k white gold ring which sported one pear shaped diamond weighing 2.32 cts. This ring brought a very nice $13,090.

For complete information and prices realized regarding Clars December 7 and 8, 2013 Fine Art and Antiques Sale, please visit www.clars.com, call (510) 428-0100 or email: info@clars.com.

Clars kicks off 2014 on Saturday and Sunday, January 11th and 12th with their first two-day Fine Art and Antiques Sale of the new year. Previews for this sale will be held Friday, January 10th from 1pm to 6pm and 9am each auction day and by appointment. A complete catalog will be available online one week prior to the sale.