Clars – April Auction
April 18th-20th
www.clars.com
5644 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA 94609

OAKLAND, CALIF. — On April 18-20, Clars is hosting a maritime sale that will include a multitude of art and décor from celebrated nautical interior designer Meri Jaye as well as memorabilia and artifacts from the historic marine collectibles shop Frank’s Fisherman, a San Francisco landmark that was converted from a fishing supplier in the 1970s. This sprawling collection includes paintings from the Atlantic to the Pacific, crafted model ships, relics from a functioning boat, and much more that is sure to draw the enthusiasm of marine collectors. This auction extends beyond these two collections. Additional estates and collections, including vintage fixtures from the San Francisco landmark Playland at the Beach, will also be offered.

Up on Lombard Street in San Francisco, designer Meri Jaye crafted captivating interiors for passenger and cargo ships, including the American President Lines headquarters. Jaye amassed a collection with a keen eye. Many of her pieces, acquired from reputable dealers in the 1960s and 1970s, haven’t been offered for sale in more than 50 years. This includes a rare manuscript by Admiral Horatio Nelson, ship models, half hull models and unique nautical furnishings like royal tiller yokes and ships’ tables. Among the treasures from her collection, is a rare oil on canvas painting by the English-born American artist Edward Moran (1829-1901). Titled “New York Bay from the Battery,” painted in 1871, this masterpiece is estimated at $20/40,000. The featured work provides a glimpse of New York City’s harbor, with its intricate composition portraying two small boats navigating turbulent waves in the foreground, amidst a backdrop of numerous ships entering the harbor. Another notable highlight from Jaye’s collection is a portrait miniature of Marie Antoinette by Pierre De Nolhac, published in London by Arthur L. Humphreys in 1905 ($600/800). Another highlight is an HMS Bellerophon stern model in case with letter fragment stating that the model was made by a sailor on duty on the Bellerophon in 1815 ($4/6,000).

For nearly five decades, Frank’s Fisherman was a cornerstone of Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco. Founded in 1946, the store transformed under the ownership of the Brown brothers, Ken and Ron. From 1977, their passion for maritime history fueled their lifelong pursuit of collecting and selling significant Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century maritime antiques. Renowned for their expertise, the brothers were a trusted resource for museums and private collectors alike. Their recent closure in February 2024 marked the end of an era, but their legacy lives on in this collection. Included are an American carved eagle from New Hampshire ($4/6,000, a Japanese silk and metallic thread commemorative embroidery of the USS Chattanooga ($2,5/3,500), a waterline ship model of the Elin Maria in case ($6/8,000) and a scratch-built paddle wheel steamship model of the California, crafted by Tom Fordham at a scale of ¼-inch to 1-foot ($6/8,000).

The maritime auction also has a small collection of amusement park collectibles featuring two iconic items from San Francisco’s Playland at the Beach: an elephant animatronic character supporting a globe and a whimsical larger than life papier mache head of a man/boy with large ears.

On April 19, an auction features a collection from the estate of Harvey Clar, the gallery’s founder. Clar’s collection includes Lalique pieces, porcelain, marble and bronze sculptures. The estate of Meri Jaye of Nob Hill, San Francisco, also contributes to this sale. Her collection boasts a 1780 edition of Don Quixote, printed by Don Joaquin Ibarra, and a deluxe copy edition of Tales of Mystery and Imagination by Edgar Allan Poe, signed by illustrator Arthur Rackham. The auction further presents a selection of Indigenous art, including Native American beadwork, Hopi kachinas and Inuit figures from other estates. Rounding out this diverse auction is a collection of antique furniture in Regency and Georgian periods, including miniature cabinets, and brass-bound writing boxes.

Clars will present a number of works by well-known and up-and-coming artists. Featured is a bronze sculpture by German-born American sculptor Adolph Alexander Weinman. Weinman received his arts education at Cooper Union and later at the Art Students League of New York, after which he became a member of the National Sculpture Society and served as its president. He is most known for his architectural sculpture, as well as portrayals of American presidents. The piece in this sale is a nude female figure dancing with a hoop, set atop a marble base. The sculpture masterfully evokes movement and displays the influence of the Art Deco style that was flourishing in 1922 when the sculpture was cast.

A second highlight in the sale is a 1915 edition of volume 10 of The North American Indian, a book and portfolio by American photographer Edward Sheriff Curtis. Curtis is widely known for his depictions of the American West and Native American people, including important figures such as Geronimo, Princess Angeline and Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce.

Clars’ Warehouse auction on April 20 will feature a collection from the estate of Harvey Clar. For information, 510-428-0100 or www.clars.com.

In Person + Online Bidding Preview: April 17th, 1-5 PM PDT
1. Edward Moran, New York Bay from the Battery, 1871, oil on canvas, 24.75″ x 42.75″. 2. De Nolhac, Pierre, Marie Antoinette, London: Arthur L. Humphreys, 1905. 3. A scratch built ship model of La Flore Americaine in case, 55″ x 24.5″ x 45.75″. 4. An Italian alabaster figure of a boy fishing by Lorenzo Corelli. 5. A Grand Tour silver presentation repousse covered urn in The Greco-Roman Taste. 6. A gemstone and 14k gold bracelet.
888-339-7600 (toll free)
510-428 -0100 (local)
info@clars.com
Clars Auctions | 5644 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA 94609