Clars Auction Gallery Summer Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction
June 15
Oakland, CA
www.clars.com
888-339-7600 (toll free)
510-428-0100 (local)
info@clars.com

OAKLAND, CALIF. — Clars kicks off a series of June auctions on June 15 with its summer Modern and contemporary art and design sale. The sale will offer several pieces by artists spanning the Modern and contemporary periods. One of many highlights to be offered is a photo-collage by influential English artist David Hockney (b 1937). Titled “Gregory Watching the Snowfall, Kyoto, February 21st, 1983,” the arrangement of violet-toned photographs depicts Hockney’s partner, assistant and frequent model Gregory Evans lying in bed, gazing through the Japanese washitsu window at the garden outside. This work will be offered with an estimate of $25/35,000. Another important work in the June sale is an oil on board painting by French Fauve artist Louis Valtat (1869-1952). The work, titled “Fraises” and valued at $20/30,000, depicts a cluster of bright red strawberries on a deep green lettuce leaf. Valtat’s technique blends the color-forward elements of Fauvism with the expressive brushwork of Impressionism to create a sense of movement in a traditional still life composition.

Also presented for auction is a signed print multiple by American Neo-Dadaist Jasper Johns (b 1930). Titled “Flag (Moratorium),” the print is a rendering of perhaps Johns’ most well-known subject: the American flag. This work was made to commemorate the anti-Vietnam War demonstrations that took place in 1969. Using symbolic orange and camouflage-green tones, the image also features a white “bullet hole” in the center, meant to highlight the violence that occurred throughout the controversial war. This print will be offered at $15/20,000. Additional pieces will be offered in the sale, including artworks by renowned artists such as Brett Weston, Bill Brandt, Rafael Coronel, March Avery, Alecos Fassianos, Marc Chagall, Wayne Thiebaud, Milton Resnick, Gunther Gerzso and many more.

Clars will offer a suite of eight Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wishbone chairs, including two armchairs, in its June 15 design auction, with an auction estimate of $20/40,000. Also to be featured is an Espenet dining table having five butterfly inlays ($10/15,000). Another highlight by American designers in the auction is a Philip and Kelvin Laverne “Marriage Whirl” table ($15/20,000). Danish Modern will also have a prominent role in the auction, including a pair of Finn Juhl NV-45 chairs ($20/40,000), and a single chair at $8/12,000. The auction will also include an extensive Georg Jensen Acorn pattern table service ($5/7,000).

Clars will offer select items from the personal collection of Rita Moreno, whose career ranges from music, film and dance, though she is arguably best known for her Academy-Award winning performance as Anita in the 1962 motion picture West Side Story. Items in the auction range from stage-worn dresses by designers, including Bob Mackie, scripts and awards, as well as artworks. There will also be a selection of Native American baskets offered in the Friday, June 16, auction, as well as other European décor to be offered on June 17.

Fine art will be presented on June 16, including a monumental painting by William Keith (American, 1838-1911) titled, “Into the Yosemite Valley,” circa 1895-1906. Estimated at $100/120,000, this 36-by-60-inch canvas has remained in the same family for well over 100 years since it was originally commissioned by Robert C. and Francesca Hall (Pittsburgh, Penn.) from the artist. Robert Hall is referenced as such in the book Keith, Old Master of California, Volume I, by Brother Cornelius (1942) on page 451. This is one of the most important works by Keith to have come to auction in well over 10 years. Clars will also offer a striking example of Albrecht Duerer’s (German, 1471-1528) “Sea Monster” in the June 16 sale. This 1498 engraving depicts a nude female beside a scaled and bearded merman, thought by many to represent the abduction of Scylla by the sea demon Glaucus of Greek mythology. This printing is on laid paper with a High Crown with Flourish watermark, purchased from Christie’s Old Master Prints auction in 2011 ($25/30,000).

The Asian Art department will offer an extensive collection of Japanese woodblock prints by Kawase Hasui (1883-1957). Hasui is a prominent Japanese artist who was known for his exquisite woodblock prints, particularly his landscapes. He was a key figure in the shin-hanga (“new prints”) movement, which revived traditional Japanese woodblock printmaking techniques in the early Twentieth Century. Highlighting the collection of more than 20 woodblocks is Hasui’s “Winter Moon at Toyama” (33129-9) estimated at $2/4,000. Kawase Hasui’s works continue to be highly sought-after by collectors and art enthusiasts. His contributions to the shin-hanga movement and his skill in capturing the essence of Japan’s natural beauty have made him one of the most celebrated Japanese printmakers of the Twentieth Century.

The jewelry and timepiece department will offer a selection of diamond, colored gemstone and gold jewelry in the June 16 sale. This sale features a variety of wardrobe staples to build up the foundation of one’s jewelry collection at accessible price points. A selection of diamond jewelry in time for bridal season includes a yellow diamond, diamond and 14K white gold ring ($4/6,000); a pair of diamond and 18K white gold earrings, ($3,5/4,500), as well as a colorful gemstone selection, including a pair of emerald, diamond and 14K gold earrings and necklace suite ($5/7,000); and a Mozambique diamond and platinum ring ($3,5/4,500).
Clars Auction is at 5644 Telegraph Avenue. For information, 510-428-0100 or www.clars.com.

David Hockney
Tony Hunt Monumental Totem Pole
Rita Moreno Robe and Dress
and others

1. William Keith, Into the Yosemite Valley, circa 1895-1906, oil on canvas, 36″ x 60″.
2. Khmer stone figure of Bhairava.
3. Albrecht Durer, The Sea Monster, 1498, engraving, watermark High Crown with Flourish (M. 20a), Meder a, 9.75″ x 7.25″.
4. Georg Jensen’Acorn’ sterling flatware service.
5. Kawase Hasui, Winter Moon at Toyama.
6. Selection of Native American baskets, including a large Pomo gathering basket.
7. Guy Rose, Rising Mists, oil on canvas, 28.5″ x 23.75″.
8. A pair of coral. diamond and eighteen karat white gold pendant ear clips.
9. A coral. seed pearl and fourteen karat gold convertible necklace.
10. A pair of emerald, diamond and fourteen karat gold earrings and necklace suite.
11. Rembrandt van Rijn, Self Portrait in a Cap and Scarf with the Face Dark.- Bust, 1633, etching, before the Watelet rework and with the mouth still bow-shaped, 5.25″ x 4″.
12. Kawase Hasui, Moon at Ninomiya Beach.
13.1930 Model AT udor with a Chevrolet 350ci Vortex Turbo engine.