Clars Auction Gallery
July 16 & 17
5644 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA 94609
www.clars.com
info@clars.com
888-339-7600 (toll free)
510-428-0100 (local)

OAKLAND, CALIF. — Clars Auction Gallery’s upcoming July 16-17 auctions are anchored by a fine selection of Asian works of art on Sunday, July 17. The auction will include various Chinese Ming dynasty bronze Buddhist sculptures, huanghuali furniture, Chinese paintings, porcelains, and other categories of Asian works of art. Leading the sale are three Ming dynasty bronze Buddhist sculptures. The first will be a bronze Avalokiteshvara figure seated on a double-lotus thrown with one hand in an abhaya gesture, estimated at $10/15,000. The back of the base is incised with the name of the patron of the sculpture and dated the 16th year of Hongzhi reign (1503). This bronze sculpture of Avalokiteshvara is from a Bay area private collector who previously acquired it from Gu Yea Guan Art Gallery in Bangkok in 1993. The other is a seated figure of Avalokiteshvara in “royal ease” position, with a calm and serene expression. The gilt-bronze figure of Vajrasattva is presented sitting on a double-lotus throne, holding a Vajra and a bell in each hand, with turquoise inlay on the crown and ornaments. These two bronze sculptures come from a prominent San Francisco estate. In addition to the three sculptures, there will also be several other gilt-bronze Himalayan Buddhist sculptures from an important San Francisco collector.

The furniture section features a pair of Qing dynasty huanghuali horseshoe-back armchairs, valued at $30/50,000. Each chair has a ruyi-head-form roundel on the back carved in relief with a mythical beast among flaming clouds. The arched back and the arms features white brass hardware decorated with prunus motifs. Another furniture highlight is a Qing dynasty huanghuali cabinet of tapered form, expected to sell for $40/60,000. The elegant design amplifies the rich and dramatic wood grains of huanghuali.

Clars will offer, in its fine art section, two large paintings by Harry Curieux Adamson (American, 1916-2012) titled, “Flooded Timber Mallards” and “Winter Quarters – Widgeon.” Each are estimated at $10/15,000. The print portion of Clars’ July 17 sale will have a wide variety of works for all collectors. Several prints will be offered by bay area figurative artist Nathan Oliveira (American, 1928-2010), including four intaglio works from his “Revisited” series printed in 1994. Christopher Brown (American, b 1951) followers will also be excited to see the three works, “In the Green,” “Malage,” and “Station” coming up for auction. Rounding out the sale is a collection of Salvador Dali (Spanish, 1904-1989) lithographs formally in the private collection of master printer Irwin Hollander. The early prints by Dali were trial proofs aside from the known edition of 150. One of the 1965 prints, titled “Cosmic Rays Resuscitating Soft Watches,” will be offered at $7/10,000.

The furniture and decorative arts portion of the sale will be led by a large Empire-style gilt-bronze and crystal six-light chandelier, circa 1909, estimated at $6/9,000. The chandelier was original to the Scottish Rite Freemasons lodge 1909, currently the Regency Center, San Francisco. Also coming up the auction block with the same provenance will be another large Empire-style chandelier at $5/7,000. Among decorative arts offerings, including an Italian micromosaic, a selection of delftware, including a figure of a dalmatian, chargers, faience figures of cows, a Rene Lalique Ambre perfume bottle will be offered.

The Fine Jewelry & Timepiece department at Clars Auction Gallery offers a selection of diamond, colored gemstone and gold jewelry, in the July 17 event. Highlights include a variety of wardrobe staples to build up the foundation of your jewelry collection at accessible price points, including bridal jewelry such as a diamond and 18K white gold ring ($1,5/2,500); everyday diamonds such as a diamond and 18K gold necklace ($1,8/2,200). Among the colorful gemstone selection is a pair of unheated Burma ruby, diamond and 14K gold ear jackets ($2,5/3,500); and a black opal, diamond and 14K gold ring ($2/3,000).

Bidding is available by phone, absentee bid, and live online at live.clars.com, Liveauctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Clars Auction Gallery is at 5644 Telegraph Avenue. For more information, 510-428-0100.

1. Pair of Chinese huanghuali horseshoe back armchairs. Provenance: Acquired in Hong
Kong, 1989.
2. A large Empire style gilt bronze and crystal six light chandelier circa 1909. Provenance: Original to the Scottish Rite Freemasons lodge 1909, currently the Regency
Center, San Francisco, CA.
3. Harry Curieux Adamson (American, 1916-2012), Winter Quarters – Widgeon, 1971, oil on board, 24″ x 36″.
4. A diamond, ruby and fourteen karat gold ring.
5. Selection of Continental Faience and Delftware, including 18th and 19th century
examples.
6. A diamond and eighteen karat gold necklace.
7. An Italian micromosaic by Cesare Roccheggiani.
8. A pair of unheated Burma ruby, diamond and fourteen karat gold ear jackets.
9. Gilt bronze figure of Vajrasattva. Provenance: San Francisco estate.
10. Chinese huanghuali tapered cabinet. Provenance: Acquired in Hong Kong, 1989.
11. A black opal, diamond and fourteen karat gold ring.
12. Harry Curieux Adamson (American, 1916-2012), Flooded Timber Mallards, oil on canvas board, 24″ x 36″.