Clars Auction
August 13-14
www.clars.com
info@clars.com
888 339 7600 (toll free)
510 428 0100 (local)

OAKLAND, CALIF. — The Sunday, August 14, sale at Clars will be led by the Asian art department with numerous highlights from porcelains to furniture and paintings, among others. The Asian art department will offer a selection of Asian works of art, and the auction will include various Chinese imperial metal works, ceramics, huanghuali furniture, Buddhist objects and other categories of Asian works of art.

The sale will be led by two related Qing dynasty imperial bronze square-form zun vases, each featuring five-clawed dragons in pursuit of flaming pearls amid scrolling clouds in low relief. One vase features a six-character Qianlong mark, and the other one features a six-character Jiaqing mark. The precision and intricacy of the molding indicates the imperial origin, while the patina on the surface demonstrates the age. Both square-form zun vases were acquired in Tokyo, Japan, circa 1949. Another imperial object is a cloisonne enamel “crane and peach” wall panel, depicting a pair of cranes perching on a garden rock under nine peaches, symbolizing longevity and prosperity.

The porcelain section will feature a blue and white brush pot of the Kangxi period. The cylindrical scholars object is painted with scholars in a serene mountain and river landscape with a fisherman sailing on a boat. The masterful utilization of shades depicts the depth of the landscape, while the vivid illustration of the figures adds a lively touch to the tranquil scene.

Other highlights of the sale include a Ming dynasty bronze figure of Manjushri, a pair of Qing dynasty celadon glazed arm rests, a huanghuali round-corners cabinet, a Liu Guosong (Chinese, b 1932) watercolor depicting an abstract “Smokey Landscape” executed in 1980, a white jade bird-finial seal and many other selections from various categories of Asian works of art.

The fine art portion of the sale will offer a watercolor and gouache on silk painting by Bay Area artist Chiura Obata (Japanese/American, 1885-1975). The 1933 painting, titled “Shower, Point Lobos” ($15/20,000) captures Obata’s time in California and his exploration of the landscapes in the greater Bay Area. The intricate watercolor also demonstrates his skills at traditional Japanese sumi-e ink painting, a style Obata trained in as a young boy.

The furniture and decorative arts portion of the auction will be led by a large Eighteenth Century Flemish verdure tapestry depicting a castle within a naturalistic setting ($8/12,000). The tapestry was the centerpiece on the wall of chic San Francisco CA Financial District pied-de-terre. Also coming up the auction block will be an early Mughal School miniature painting attributed to Payag, also known as Prayaga, dating to the Seventeenth Century, depicting a mystic sitting around campfire with a group of devotees; this painting is a highlight from a collection of Indian miniature paintings ($30/50,000).

There is also a mélange of Nineteenth Century European ceramics and Twentieth Century art glass, including a large Spanish Triana majolica basin featuring a rabbit, a Victorian pair of Minton porcelain pate-sur-pate pilgrim flasks depicting a scenes from Aesop’s fables and a Daum pate-de-verre glass “Les Danseurs” figural group.

The jewelry and timepiece department will offer a selection of diamond, colored gemstone and gold jewelry. This sale features a variety of wardrobe staples to build up the foundation of one’s jewelry collection at accessible price points, including diamond jewelry, such as a pair of diamond and 14K white gold earrings ($3/5,000); a retro diamond and 14K gold ring ($1/2,000), as well as a colorful gemstone selection, including a peridot, pink beryl and 14K gold ring ($400/600); a sapphire, diamond and 18K gold ring ($800-$1,200). Other wearable pieces are featured by a gemstone and 18K gold brooch by Fred Paris ($800 – $1,200).

Clars Auction Gallery is at 5644 Telegraph Avenue. For information, 510-428-0100 or www.clars.com.

1. An Indian miniature painting, gouache on paper, depicting an ascetic before a cave attended by various figures, sight 9″ x 6.5″.
2. A gemstone and eighteen karat gold brooch, Fred Paris.
3. Liu Guosong (Chinese, b. 1932), Smokey Landscape.
4. A Retro diamond and fourteen karat gold ring.
5. Flemish Verdure Tapestry.
6. Bibi Zogbe (Lebanese, 1890-1973), Cerezos en Flor, oil on canvas, 25″ x 33.75″.
7. An Art Deco sapphire, diamond and platinum bracelet.
8. Chinese imperial
bronze ‘dragon’ vase, Mark and Period of Qianlong.
9. A fine pair of Minton porcelain pate sur pate pilgrim flasks of Aesop’s fables by Thomas H. Rice or Frederick Alfred Rhead, last quarter 19th century, one depicting the tortoise and hare, and the cow and frog, indistinct ‘TR’ artist’s cipher in decoration, gold printed crowned globe mark, impressed ‘MINT0NS,’ shape 1819, date cypher for 1872 or 1882, original paper label, 10.25″ h.
10. Chiura 0bata (Japanese/American, 1885-1975), Shower, Point Lobos, 1933, watercolor and gouache on silk, 19.5″ x 14″.
11. Yayoi Kusama (Japanese, b. 1929). A Pumpkin 88-C, 2004, screenprint, 13″ x 15.19″.