OAKLAND, CA.- On Saturday and Sunday, June 18th and 19th, 2016, Clars Auction Gallery hosted what would result in the firm’s second largest sale in their 44 year history. Over $3 million was realized throughout the course of the two-day event with Decorative Arts and exceptional Asian offerings each vying for top category realizing over $1.2 million each. After the sale, President Redge Martin noted, “there was exceptionally strong bidding throughout the sale with a number of surprises as there often are at auction.”

Decorative Arts & Furnishings
The top lot of the entire sale was a very rare and beautiful Chinese Automaton Triple Fusee Bracket Clock which sold to a phone bidder for an impressive $929,000 and was the highest single lot ever sold at auction by Clars. The clock measured 36 inches tall and the gilt bronze case was embellished with elegant filigree mounts. Mythical figures adorned the corners as did seashell handles and jeweled floral mounts. The porcelain dial measured 6” with a mirror plate above. The animation was extraordinary with animated swimming ducks on the hour and a large spinning pinwheel surrounded by 10 smaller pinwheels topped by a jeweled teardrop finish the very top of this work of art.

Coming in second place in Decorative Arts was the surprise sale of a Chinese Export silver teapot with pierced dragon accents, fronted by the Three Immortals. This teapot was estimated to sell for $400-600 but sold for an astonishing $27,830. Deric Torres, Vice President of Decorative Arts & Furnishings commented that, “the buyer was a very experienced collector and the consignor was delighted with the surprising results of the sale.”

Rounding out the top sellers in furniture and design were two automobiles. The first, a 2006 Mercedes Benz E 350 sedan went out for $11,500 and a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta SE sedan cruised away for $12,100.

Asian Art & Antiques
The Asian category featured the important collection of 20th Chinese Huanghuali furniture from the Dr. Bernard C. Gerber Collection of South Dakota which drew serious bidders from around the globe. Selling for well over high estimate for $145,000 was a huanghuali dining suite consisting of table with six floating panels and six “lamp hanger” side chairs. Also soaring past high estimate was a huanghuali altar table that sold exceptionally well for $84,700 (estimate: $30,000 – $50,000).

Several other lots offered also soared past their high estimates making for a very exciting sale. A Chinese Guan-type brush washer was offered for $2,500-$4,500 but competitive bidding drove this lot higher and higher to a final sale price of $54,450. Surpassing this lot was a small Chinese gold vessel with a spinach jade stand that came to the sale with an estimate of $8,000 - $12,000. Once again, bidding forced the final sale price on this lot to $57,475. Finally, a great deal of unexpected attention was seen on a lovely Chinese iron and wood saddle from the Dr. Bernard C. Gerber Estate. Expected to achieve $2,000 - $4,000, this red silk brocade saddle rode off proudly for $39,325.

Jewelry and Timepieces
It seemed the “time” was on Clars’ side at this auction as a rare and fine gentlemen’s Rolex Cosmograph wristwatch, circa 1964/1965, ref. 6239, accompanied by original papers, was expected to sell for $15,000 – 20,000 but sold for an amazing $45,375. And to dazzle the ladies, a princess cut diamond (2.01 ct.) and platinum solitaire ring sold for solidly within estimate for $8,470.

Fine Art
Rounding out this impressive sale were several works of note offered in the Fine Art category. Selling for well over high estimate was a watercolor titled “Fishing in a Canoe” by Ogden Minton Pleissner (American, 1905-1983). Offered for $7,000 - $10,000, this lovely painting brought $15,730.

By Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973), his terre de faience bowl title “Personnages” 1956, was partially glazed and painted red, brown, and black with the Medoura Plein Feu and Picasso stamps, edition 72/100. This work sold very well for $14,520. Also performing well was “Le Grand Ordonnateur,” 1969, by Joan Miro (Spanish/French, 1893-1983). This etching with aquatint printed in colors with carborundum came to the sale from the Masterworks Gallery in Los Angeles, CA and achieved a solid price of $13,310.