Clars Auction Gallery – In Person & Online Bidding
April 23 & 24, 2022
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 will offer a selection of Asian works of art on Sunday, April 24. This auction will include various Chinese antique porcelains, jade and stone carvings, furniture, Chinese paintings, embroidered works and other categories of Asian works of art.

A molded Dingyao bowl featuring lotus and other aquatic plants along with a double-fish medallion will headline the auction. The Song dynasty bowl was acquired from the late Chingwah Lee collection of San Francisco sold at Sotheby’s Los Angeles in June 1981. An example of Chinese monochromes is the Qianlong mark and period celadon-glazed and carved vase displaying overlapping lotus petals throughout. Another Qing imperial porcelain is the Guangxu mark and period famille rose “Three Rams” bowl, which has four medallions each depicting the Three Rams against a lemon-yellow sgraffito ground.

The jade, hardstone and snuff bottle portion of the sale will feature a selection of carvings from the neolithic period up to the modern era. An example can be seen in a white jade snuff bottle with carved decoration in the rococo style. Rounding out the section is a group of jade and hardstone toggles and pendants from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
The furniture portion will feature a pair of Eighteenth Century huanghuali horseshoe-back armchairs. These armchairs feature decorative carved panels on the backs with auspicious floral groupings and mythical creatures. Another furniture highlight is a huanghuali altar coffer dated to the late Qing to Republic period. The wide single panel top is flanked by a pair of everted flanges above three drawers with white brass hardware, atop a coffer cabinet with a pair of hinged double doors.

Another highlight of the sale is an ink on paper hanging scroll by Wu Changshuo (Chinese, 1844-1927). The ink painting depicting plum blossoms is inscribed by the artist and dated to 1915. The painting is an example of the artist’s masterful utilization of dry and wet brush techniques to illustrate the strength of the branches and the depth of the scene. This painting was acquired in Shanghai prior to 1945 and this is the first time that it has been offered for sale at auction.
Fine art in the sale includes the first printings of the photograph “Girl with Candy” by Ukrainian photographer Oleskii Kyrychenko ($1/2,000) [see accompanying article]. The print multiples portion of the sale will also hold two works by Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha (Czech, 1860-1939). Titled “Tetes Byzantines,” the lot will include both the “Brunette” and the “Blonde” profiles printed on the original 1897 round paper. The two images became quite popular at the turn of the century and were printed numerous times in different variants for advertising and souvenir purposes. “Brunette” and “Blonde” will be offered at $6/9,000 for the pair.

Clars will offer two prints by Yayoi Kusama, “Grapes,” a screenprint from 1982, and “Shoes,” a lithograph from 1984. A preeminent figure in the art world, Kusama emerged onto the art scene in the 1960s in New York, collaborating with Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenberg and Robert Morris and contributing to the rise of feminist and Pop art. Throughout her work, Kusama has explored such themes as her own obsessive-compulsive disorder, hallucinations, sexuality and freedom. “Grapes” and “Shoes” exhibit Kusama’s signature style, featuring polka dots

There will be a selection of coins, silver and other objets de vertu. Highlights include a Parker rare ribbon eye dropper fountain pen, dated 1914 ($8/12,000), and an 1887 $1 gold type 3 Princess Head PCGS Proof 63 cameo ($5/7,000). Also to be offered is a collection of Native American basketry and blankets, a selection of Daum glass and Berkeley Mills furniture.

The jewelry and timepiece department will offer a selection of diamond, colored gemstone and gold jewelry. This sale features a variety of brightly colored gemstone jewelry. These whimsical and colorful pieces include a pair of beryl and 14K gold earrings ($800-$1,200), a turquoise, diamond and 18K white gold ring ($1,8/2,200), a pair of floriform 18K gold earrings and a pendant necklace suite ($400/600).

Clars will also offer a selection of diamond jewelry in time for bridal season, including a diamond and 18K white gold necklace ($3,5/5,500), a pair of South Sea pearl and 14K white gold earrings ($800-$1,200), a pair of diamond tassel and 14K white gold earrings ($1,5/2,500).

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

1. Wu Changshuo (1844–1927), Plum Blossom.
2. A pair of beryl and fourteen karat gold earrings.
3. Alphonse Mucha (Czech, 1860–1939), Tete Byzantine Brune et Blonde, 1897, lithographs in colors, 13′′ x 11′′.
4. A signed Beatles paper, June 7, 1964.
5. Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929), High Heels, 1986, screenprint, 12.4′′ x 16′′.
6. A pair of eighteen karat gold earrings and a pendant necklace suite.
7. A selection of Native American basketry and blankets including Northern Plains, Yoruk, Tlingit, and Navajo, among others.
8. Chinese finely molded Dingyao bowl.
9. Edward Henry Potthast (1857–1927), Untitled (Figures on a Beach), oil on panel, 4.5′′ x 6.5′′.
10. A turquoise, diamond and eighteen karat white gold ring.
11. Pair of Chinese huanghuali horseshoe-back armchairs.
12. A Parker Rare and Exceptional ribbon eye dropper fountain pen, dated 1914.