Clars Auctions
September 19th-21st, 1 pm PDT
5644 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA 94609
In Person+ Online Bidding  www.clars.com
Preview: September 18th, 1- 5 PM PDT

OAKLAND, CALIF. — Clars will host its diamond and watch auction on Thursday, September 19, starting at 9:30 am PST. This sale will feature an array of large diamonds, signed jewelry and rare watches. Highlighting the diamond jewelry segment are several standout pieces, including a diamond and platinum brooch ($50/70,000); a 3.36 carat diamond and 14K gold ring ($6/8,000; and a diamond and 14K gold bracelet weighing a total of 15 carats ($3,5/4,500).

Among the notable jewelry makers represented are David Webb and Bulgari. Featured is a pair of David Webb diamond, black enamel and 18K gold ear clips ($6/8,000); a pair of David Webb enamel and 18K gold Zebra ear clips ($5/7,000; and a pair of Bulgari emerald, diamond and 18K gold ear clips ($15/17,000).

In addition, the auction showcases a r selection of timepieces. Leading this segment is a stainless steel Rolex “Submariner” wristwatch ($8/12,000); a diamond and 18K white gold Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso wristwatch ($8/12,000); a stainless steel Rolex Speed King wristwatch ($3/5,000); a stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual wristwatch ($3/5,000); and an 18K gold Cartier Monaco wristwatch ($5/7,000). The sale also includes a diverse range of additional timepiece spanning various decades, featuring rare and exotic models.

Clars will also present its fall fine art auction, taking place on Thursday, September 19, at 1 pm. This event will feature a diverse selection of artworks, starting with an oil on panel painting by renowned American Impressionist William Merritt Chase. Titled “A Mother’s Joy” and created in 1889, this piece measures 17 by 17 inches and is signed by the artist ($600/900,000). The painting’s provenance includes its acquisition by New Jersey Governor Franklin Murphy from Fifth Avenue Art Galleries in 1891, and it has been exhibited in notable venues such as the Society of American Artists and the Chicago Interstate Industrial Exposition.

Another standout in the auction is a 1953 ceramic pitcher by the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. Best known for his revolutionary Cubist paintings, Picasso also made significant contributions to ceramic art. This particular pitcher, titled “Piquet Gothique aux Oiseaux” ($8/12,000), showcases Picasso’s distinctive style with its simplified painting technique and depiction of three black birds.

This auction will also feature a striking photograph by German-Australian photographer Helmut Newton. Known for his dramatic black-and-white compositions and collaborations with major fashion designers, Newton’s work has been influential in the world of fashion photography. The gelatin silver print offered in this sale titled “Vogue, France, Yves St. Laurent, Paris,” captures Yves Saint Laurent’s collection inspired by film noir aesthetics, and exemplifies Newton’s iconic style of high drama and eroticism ($10/15,000).

Several collectible and notable prints will also be offered in the auction. Among them are two woodblock prints by German/American artist Gustave Baumann, celebrated for his revival of the woodblock technique in the United States. The two available prints, “Spring Freshet” ($5/7,000) and “The Sycamore” ($6/9,000), both highlight Baumann’s mastery in depicting the Southwestern US landscapes.

A print by the ever-popular Japanese Pop Art icon Yayoi Kusama will also be up for auction. The screenprint, “A Pumpkin BB-C,” which reflects her famous pumpkin in vibrant blue, is priced to sell at $20/30,000.

The sale will continue with more prints, including a 1978/79 untitled etching by American Minimalist Donald Judd ($5/7,000) and two prints by American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. Lichtenstein’s famous “Crak” offset lithograph from 1964 will be on the block ($10/15,000), along with his small edition pencil signed print created for “Guild Hall East Hampton” ($5/7,000).

From the Pacific Rim and estimated at $15/20,000, Clars will offer a painting from 1963 by Singaporean artist Cheong Soo Pieng (1917-1983). Heading north, an oil on canvas by contemporary Chinese artist Liao Zhenwu (b 1964) titled, “The Story of Meditation (2008),” will be offered ($5/7,000). Always a favorite among collectors is South Asian artist Jamini Roy (Indian,1887-1972).

Known for capturing the essence of simplicity in the life of the Indian people, a classic gouache on paper, untitled (1967), featuring a seated figure by the artist is another of the many highlights ($7/10,000).

Clars will offer several contemporary works of sculpture. Included is a work by Vivian Wang (Chinese, b 1945) featuring a glass figure of a seated child with a red and black painted hat and outfit ($3/5,000). Another striking piece in this group is a mixed media sculpture by American artist Peter Anton (American, b 1963) depicting an ice cream bar ($4/6,000). Anton is known for his hyperrealist sculptures of dessert foods. Also included in the sculpture section is an anemone-like glass cube by Wilfried Grootens (German, b 1954) ($3/5,000 as well as a glass mime figure by Martin Janecky (Czech, b 1980) ($4/6,000).

Bidding for Clars’ September auctions is available by phone, absentee bid and live online at live.clars.com and through LiveAuctioneers and Invaluable. Clars Auction Gallery is at 5644 Telegraph Avenue. For information, 510-428-0100 or www.clars.com.

1. Roy Lichtenstein, Crak!, 1964, offset lithograph in colors, 18.5″ x 27″. 2. Pablo Picasso, Piquet Gothique aux Oiseaux, 1953, terre de faience pitcher painted in colors with partial glaze, ll”h. 3. Cheong Soo Pieng, Untitled, 1963, oil on canvas, 19.75″ x 27.75″. 4. Yayoi Kusama, A Pumpkin 88-C, 2004, screenprint in colors, 9.5″ x 11.25″. 5. Helmut Newton, Vogue, France, Yves St. Laurent, Paris, 1981, gelatin silver print, 14.5″ x 14″. 6. Sam Francis, Untitled, 1963, gouache on paper, 13.75″ X 12.5″.

7. William Merritt Chase, A Mother’s Joy, 1889, oil on panel, 17″ x 17″ (43.2 x 43.2 cm).
Provenance: The artist; Purchased by Franklin Murphy, New Jersey (Governor of New Jersey, 1902-1905) at Fifth Avenue Art Galleries, New York, March 6, 1891, lot 64 (sold by the artist); Private collection, Kentucky. Exhibited: New York, Annual Exhibition of the Society of American Artists, May 1889; Chicago, Illinois, 17th Annual Chicago Interstate Industrial Exposition, Sept. 1889; New York, American Art Galleries, 1890. Literature: Ronald G. Pisano, William Merritt Chase: Portraits in Oil, Vol. II, New Haven, Connecticut, 2007, p. 84, no. OP.164. Note: Accompanied by copy of letter of authenticity from D. Frederick Baker/Ronald G. Pisano, Inc. October 2, 2023.

1. Frank Lloyd Wright for Henredon mahogany cabinet, 25″ x 31″ x 17″. 2. A Chinese purple-ground gauze and gilt-thread ‘dragon’ robe. 3. Bulgari, a pair of emerald, diamond and 18k gold ear clips. 4. David Webb, a pair of diamond, black enamel and 18k gold ear clips. 5. A colored diamond and 14k white gold ring. 6. A 3.63 carat diamond and 14k gold ring. 7. A Chinese four-panel folding screen with porcelain plaque insets. 8. Cartier, a 18k gold Monaco wristwatch. 9. Tiffany Studios, a patinated bronze and caramel slag glass jewelry box in the Grapevine pattern. 10. Vivika and Otto Heino, a large porcelain yellow glazed vase. 11. Gordon Onslow Ford (American/British, 1912-2003), Ascending, 1955, casein on paper, 37.75″ x 11.5″. 12. A diamond and 14k gold bracelet. 13. A pair of David Webb enamel and 18k gold ear clips. 14. Jamini Roy (Indian, 1887-1972), Untitled (Seated Figure), 1967, gouache on paper, 21″ x 13″.