OAKLAND, CALIF. — Clars Auction Gallery presented Asian art and antiques as part of its June 17-18 fine art, decorative art, furniture, jewelry/timepieces and Asian art auction. The top lot for the sale came in eight parts, a landscape scroll by Chinese artist Zhang Daqian (1899-1983), ink and color on paper, which sold to a phone bidder for $3 million, including premium. Estimated just $200/300,000, the 86.6-by-18½-inch scroll came from the estate of Ma Hongkui in Los Angeles. One of the eight panels had a colophon to celebrate Shaoyun [Ma Hongkui] General’s birthday, and each was signed with seals by Zhang Daqian.

Another surprise in the sale came when a Chinese celadon glazed porcelain zhadou that was estimated to sell for $20/40,000 sold for $169,400, including premium. The Chinese celadon glazed porcelain zhadou had a lobed hexagonal body rising to a trumpet neck and flared rim, covered overall and on the base with a celadon tone, bottom with Yongzheng mark, together with an hexagonal wood stand, it measured 7¾ inches high. It came from the estate of Yuet Lai Tsang, Contributing author of Jian Jin Ji, Pasadena, Calif.

A full report on the two-day sale will follow.