This rare Chinese automaton triple fusee bracket clock sold for $929,000, the highest single lot sale in Clars’ history.

OAKLAND, CALIF. — On June 18 and 19, Clars Auction Gallery hosted what would result in the firm’s second largest sale in its 44-year history. More than $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 more than $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.”

The top lot of the entire sale was a rare 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 inches 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.

Watch for a complete report on this sale in an upcoming edition.