A new world auction record for Raimonds Staprans (American/Latvian, b 1926) was set with the painting “Blue Boats” selling for $187,500.
OAKLAND, CALIF. – Clars established a new world auction record for Raimonds Staprans (American/Latvian, b 1926) with the painting “Blue Boats” selling for $187,500. The painting was the top lot at the firm’s 239-lot June 17 Modern + Contemporary / Art + Design sale, which totaled $1,070,250 on the day. The new Staprans price beats the previous record held by Clars from September 2020 of $147,600. As Rick Unruh, chief executive officer of Clars, stated, “Staprans has incredible upward momentum at auction at the moment. There is a scarcity issue with his exceptional works currently. ‘Blue Boats’ was one of those exceptional works. Reaching a new price level and ‘raising the bar’ is challenging but rewarding when it occurs.”
Also of note in the sale was a rare collection of four works by Leonor Fini (French/Argentine, 1908-1996). This combined collection sold for $250,625, with one particular painting, “Zorniga,” selling for $187,500.
A Phillip Lloyd Powell New Hope chair brought $15,000.
Highlights in the design category included a set of Mario Bellini Cab chairs that sold for $17,500, and a Phillip Lloyd Powell New Hope Chair that brought $15,000. Cristina Campion, associate director of Twentieth Century design at Clars, noted, “There’s always a strong market for good design. We’re currently seeing bidders vying for the top lots, and as a result Clars is achieving strong auction records across the board.”
Prices given include the buyer’s premium as stated by the auction house. For information, 510-428-0100 or www.clars.com.
