Clars Auction Gallery
5644 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, California 94609
510-428-0100
About Auction House
Clars Auction Gallery has hosted Bay Area auctions of Fine Art, Decorative Objects, and Jewelry for almost fifty years and has built a strong reputation for knowledge and experience in handling quality fine art, antiques, jewelry, and decorative objects. Clars Auction Gallery began in 1972 when Harvey Clar established the auction gallery in Oakland, California. In 1996, Harvey Clar sold the estate auction gallery business to Redge Martin, who had worked at the Gallery for several years.Auction Previews & News
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Auction PreviewFine Art, Furniture & Decorative Art, Jewelry & Timepieces, Asian Art
The upcoming Clars auction features a watercolor piece titled Victory: The Spanish War (1947). With over a million lives lost and the eventual victory of a fascist ruler, the Spanish Civil War was one of the most devastating conflicts in Spanish history. This watercolor and Indian ink painting by Surrealist Salvador Dalí depicts the consequences of the war. Dalí was recognized for connecting his paintings with contemporary political events. In this work, he distorted the proportions of the central figure to suggest the suppression of the war’s opposition. The painting is accompanied by a letter of authenticity. Alongside several pre-Columbian prints, sculptures, and pieces of furniture, a selection of luxury watches and fine jewelry will be available. Highlighted among these is the “Reine de Naples” vintage wristwatch. Made by Breguet, it features a moon phase aperture. This piece was inspired by an early bracelet for the Queen of Naples. Visit Clars to browse the entire catalog or to register to bid.
Auction IndustryClars Auction Gallery’s Record-Breaking June Sale Led by Warhol’s ‘Mick Jagger’ Set of 10 Screenprints For $817,000
Rare Andy Warhol (American, 1928-1987), “Mick Jagger” complete portfolio of ten screen prints. This suite of prints sold for a record breaking total price of $817,000.Clars Clars Auction Gallery hosted the most successful one-day online only sale in the company’s history with just over $3,000,000 in total sales. After recently being purchased by a private investment group in August of this year, the company is seeing record growth, with an increase in exceptional property being offered. An Andy Warhol (American, 1928-1987), ‘Mick Jagger’, complete portfolio of ten (10) screenprints was the highlight of Clars June 14th Auction selling for an impressive and record breaking $817,000. This price realized soared above the preceding record by 56% (previously the record at auction was $461,000 from 2014). Zhang Daqian (Chang Dai-Chien, 1899-1983), “Sightseeing in Mountain,” ink and color on paper, hanging scroll that sold for $522,750Clars “Clars is proud to have achieved a record-breaking price on a rare suite of ten Warhol screen prints of Mick Jagger,” said Cristina Campion, Associate Director of 20th Century Design at Clars. “We were excited to have numerous international bidders vying for the lot. I think it’s really indicative that the art market is still going strong, and that Andy Warhol’s works, particularly of noted celebrities, are in high demand.” In addition to the Warhol suite, Clars is proud to be selected to handle the estate of Frank J. Caufield (San Francisco, CA). Mr. Caufield was one of the founding partners of the venture capital firm Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield and Byers. The estate has realized $250,000 to date. Clars is also honored to have presented the celebrity collection of Robin Williams. FINE ART There were many highlights in our fine art portion of the sale, including a David Park (American, 1911-1960), Untitled (Reclining Nude), 1957, oil on canvas, that realized $67,650. Also a Pablo Picasso ceramic vase commanded $34,000. A Jean-Michel Basquiat (American, 1960-1988), “Subway Rider,” charcoal on buff paper sold for 31,250, and a collection of Basquiat postcards brought a cumulative $39,375. THE ASIAN ART & ANTIQUES The Asian Art department had a very strong sale,…
Auction IndustryLynda Benglis Sculpture Soars To $184,500 And Two New Records Set On 20th Century Furniture At Clars
From artist and sculpture Lynda Benglis (American, b. 1941), Norseman, a stainless steel mesh and aluminum sculpture, soared soared to $184,500 achieving the third highest auction price for this artist. OAKLAND, CA.- Sculpture and fine art, 20th Century Design and the Oceanic and Tribal Collection of Richard I.M. Kelton of Marina Del Rey, CA, were the star performers at Clars February 23rd auction. Realizing prices far beyond their estimates, this sale presented investment level works from private estates and museums that drew bidders from around the world. FINE ART Sculpture The stainless steel mesh and aluminum sculpture titled Norseman by Lynda Benglis (American, b. 1941), flew past all presale expectations. Benglis is regarded as the pioneer in free-form sculpture who radically pushed the limits on this medium in the 1960s. Today, some 60 years later, she is still creating and, according to the August 16, 2019 story in the New York Times, she is more prolific that ever. The demand for her abstract works was evident on February 23rd when Norseman was presented with an estimate of $40,000 – 60,000 but soared quickly to an amazing $184,500, securing the third highest price ever achieved for this artist at auction. In a statement by Rick Unruh, CEO and Director of Fine Art for Clars, he commented, “Yes, the Lynda Benglis sculpture was certainly a very pleasant surprise with numerous bidders in the US and Europe competing heavily for this work.” Among the other solid performers in the Fine Art offerings was a wonderful acrylic on canvas by James Weeks (American, 1922-1998) titled Spring Morning which sold for $14,760. The 1970 oil on canvas by Margaret Keane (American, b. 1927) titled Stranded, sold for nicely over estimate earning $14,760. This was followed by a woodblock print in colors by Gustave Bauman (American/German, 1881-1971) titled Corn Dance, Santa Clara that was expected to sell for $7,000 but surpassed that nicely going for $12,300. A collection of assorted landscape and seascape paintings by Karl Schmidt (American, 1890-1962), sold to benefit the Oakland Museum of California, had a 100% sell through bringing well over $30,000 on the day.…
Auction PreviewFurniture, Fine Art, Jewelry and Timepieces, Asian Art
Alexandrite, a gemstone discovered in Russia, was named after the country’s Tsar Alexander II. Most alexandrite deposits were exhausted by the end of the 1900s, making the uncommon gem a prized possession among the Russian royalty. Highlighted in the upcoming Furniture, Fine Art, Jewelry and Timepieces, Asian Art auction, offered by Clars Auction Gallery, is an 8.44 carat oval-cut alexandrite and white gold ring. The main stone is surrounded by 176 full-cut diamonds. Another key highlight of the sale is a painting by James Gill, who became a phenomenon at the forefront of the 1960s Pop Art movement. Gill combines distorted newspaper images with paint to produce blurred works of art. The auction will also feature an 18th century French Regence looking glass with divided mirror plates and an espagnolette mask. Above the mirror is a carving of a military trophy. Included in the auction are various lots of antique furniture, wristwatches, Persian rugs, porcelain figurines, wines, and more. To view the full catalog and register to bid, visit Clars Auction Gallery’s website.
Press ReleaseWorks by European Masters, Modern Furniture by Renowned Designers, Extraordinary Gold & Numismatic Collection and the Second Installment of the Robin Leach Collection all at Clars Amazing November 17th, 2019 Auction
UBS One Kilo Gold Bar Oakland, CA – 16 & 17 – November 2019 –, Clars November 16-17, 2019 sale will be bring to the market an exciting presentation of European and American fine art, important designs in Modern furniture and a most extraordinary collection of solid gold bars and silver and gold coins. In addition, the highly anticipated second installment of the Robin Leach Collection will make this auction one to watch with global bidders onboard to buy the investment level property to be offered. The property to be offered at this sale comes from prominent California estates as well as museums, private institutions and special collections. THE GOLD NUMISMATIC COLLECTIONA rare numismatic collection comprised of over 500 solid gold coins from countries around the world including Great Britain, South Africa and the United States will captivate collectors. This massive collection will be offered in grouped lots by country, denomination and age. In addition, a rare UBS one kilo gold bar, .9999 24k pure gold will headline this sale with an estimate of $40,000 – 60,000. Rounding out this collection will be two albums of Morgan silver dollars. THE FINE ART European masters will take center stage in the Fine Art offerings in November. Baroque painter Melchior de Hondecoeter (Dutch, 1636-1695), renowned for his studies of birds and wild life, will be represented with his oil on canvas titled Peacocks at Nights, 1676. This work is a rich representation of his ability to capture the colors and beauty of this species and will be offered for $40,000 – 60,000. Melchior de Hondecoeter Melchior de Hondecoeter Turning to Britain, a stunning oil on canvas portrait of Ann Ford by Gainsborough Dupont (British, 1754-1797) titled Lady at the Glass Harmonica, carries an estimate of $30,000 – 50,000. The sitter, Ann Ford, later became Mrs. Philip Thinknesse in 1762. The painting is accompanied an email from composer and glass instruments expert, Jean Claude Chapuis, confirming this information. Gainsborough Dupont Mihaly Munkacsy (Hungarian, 1844-1900) achieved international renown for his genre and large-scale biblical paintings. His works were highly sought after by American millionaires and in…
- Press Release
The Robin Leach Collection Comes to Auction at Clars in the 2019 Fall Auction Season
Oakland, CA –Clars Auction Gallery is proud to announce that the gallery will be presenting the celebrity collection of Robin Leach (1941-2018) in the upcoming October 13th and November 17th 2019 auctions. This extraordinary collection is a reflection of his incredible life, desire for the finest and spans a variety of categories. A reflection of his famous quote “champagne wishes and caviar dreams,” Leach’s collection of fine fines wines and champagnes will be offered including a 1990 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut Millennium Methuselah valued at $10,000-15,000. Indicative of his gregarious personality is the estate’s cadre of celebrity gifts, including a framed inscription and drawing from Ruby “Tuesday” Mazur, the designer of the Rolling Stones tongue, and an autographed chef’s jacket featuring Thomas Keller and Bobby Flay. There are also early framed and signed photographs by Cher, who was a close friend of Leach’s. His passion for fine decorative arts and furnishings is evidenced in the selection of bronzes by various artists including Pal Kepenyes and Steve Tobin. A fine selection of furniture will be offered including Levantine and Moroccan inspired pieces, and other designer pieces including a floor lamp attributed to Frances Elkins. Hundreds of lots from the important collection of Robin Leach will be presented throughout the 2019 fall auction season at Clars. Cristina Campion, Senior Specialist in charge of the Leach collection said, “On behalf of Clars, we are very honored to have been selected to present the personal collection of this extraordinary man and entertainment icon to the global market so they may have the opportunity to own a piece of his magnificent life and lifestyle.” About Robin Leach Robin Leach’s fame stems not only from the decade he served as host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, but also for his work as a notable journalist. Robin began his career in journalism at the Daily Mail in England. In 1963, Leach relocated to the United States, and continued to write for the Daily News and People Magazine. In addition to having a successful editorial career, Leach also focused on television, as he was featured prominently on CNN, Entertainment Tonight, and the Food Network. A bon vivant, Leach…
Press ReleasePrivate Investment Group Acquires Clars Auction Gallery, Richard G. Unruh III Appointed CEO and President
Clars Auction Gallery announced that is had been acquired by a private investment group. The investors, who will now serve as the board of directors of the firm, are pleased to announce that Richard G. Unruh (who is also part of the investment group as well as on of the board of directors) will assume the role of CEO and President of Clars. For the past several years, Richard (Rick) Unruh served as Vice President and Director of Fine Arts for Clars, and has been pivotal in substantially increasing sales of the Fine Art department to national and global level collectors, achieving numerous new world records and securing important estates, institutions and museums as clients. Rick Unruh, CEO & President In a statement by Unruh, he said, “This acquisition is very exciting for all of us at Clars and we will continue to serve our clients with the same dedication, integrity and vision for the future that former president and owner, Redge Martin, did for 23 years. I am so honored to assume the role of CEO and President for this distinguished company and, on behalf of myself, the board of directors and the amazing staff here at Clars, we look forward to building on our many great strengths and taking Clars to even higher levels in both the national and international markets. I am also personally grateful for having had the opportunity to work with Redge Martin for the past several years. He’s an icon in the industry, building Clars to be one of the most respected full service auction houses in the country. I am further grateful that, while he looks forward to moving on to his much-deserved retirement, he will still remain part of the Clars family, available for advice and consultation now and in the future.” In his statement regarding his years as President of Clars, Redge Martin said, “I had never been to an auction, having a finance background, until I serendipitously took a job at Butterfield’s. It was very rewarding to grow Clars Auction Gallery to twelve times the volume it had had when I started.…
Auction PreviewFurniture, Fine Art, Jewelry and Timepieces, Asian Art
Clars Auction’s upcoming sale boasts 1023 lots comprised of furniture, fine art, jewelry and timepieces and Asian art. The auction presents rare Thangka paintings; the item not only reflects on Tibetan culture, but also embodies the beauty and protection of the Gods. Work of Luigi Corbellini has a quality of bringing portraits to life. In contrast to Kyo Satsuma vase, Chinese celadon glazed vessel is known for monochromatic, cool-toned glaze which has a very modern feel to it. With realized price estimation of $1,000 to $2,000, the Chinese landscape glazed vase, is the highest bid of the auction. To go through the huge collection of infinite variety, visit Clars Auction.
Auction PreviewFurniture, Fine Art, Jewelry and Timepieces by Clars Auctions
The Furniture, Fine Art, Jewelry and Timepieces auction by Clars Auctions features a stunning emerald-cut diamond ring, weighing 5.69 cts., accompanied by two tapered baguette-cut diamonds. It is set in a beautiful platinum mounting. A pair of Vietnamese wooden, polychrome cranes are also offered. Standing tall at 92.5”, each crane features a white body with gilt wings, standing on red turtles. Another featured item is the signed and framed oil painting by Italian artist, Antonio Emerolao Paoletti. This untitled painting shows a young girl, stringing glass beads. Bids range from $50 to $60,000 with many more must-see items. To view the entire catalog, visit Clars.
