Amelia Earhart Collection, Old Masters and More at Clars in September Each September, Clars hosts their landmark sale of the year and this September may likely be the richest in the firm’s history. Internationally important historic memorabilia collections, fine art fro
Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley and a poster of Sarah Bernhard “at the Greek.” In addition, there is a portfolio showcasing the work of renowned San Francisco Arts & Crafts movement architect Bernard Maybeck as well as a large collection of photographs of 1930-40s Berkeley (CA).
The fine art category will be exceptionally impressive with offerings from both important American and European artists, from the Dutch Renaissance to Contemporary. Coming from a distinguished San Francisco Bay Area collection will be rare and early European works. The oil on oak panel Adoration of the Magi after Joos can Cleve is estimated to achieve $15,000 to $25,000 as is Roman Charity, circle of Guido Reni (Bologna 1575-1642).
From Edouard Cabane (French, b. 1857) will be his fourteen oils on canvas entitled Station of the Cross. While better known for his portraits of young women, each of these paintings are extraordinary examples of the artist’s handling of the full human figure. These works are accompanied by an impressive exhibition history including the 1900s Paris Worlds Fair of Art and History. (Estimate: $20,000 to $40,000)
Moving into French Modernism, Henri Matisse’s (French, 1869-1954) lithograph, Odalisque au Magnolia, 1923, (estimate: $15,000-$25,000) is a stunning example of the artist’s post-Fauve Nice period, representing a return to traditional figuration. Highlighting mid-century Parisian transition into abstraction will be Jean Dubuffet’s (French, 1901-1985) 1966 watercolor and ink on paper Le Fauteuil II (estimate: $30,000-$50,000) and Bernard Cathelin’s (French, 1919-2004) 1967 oil on canvas, Premiere Neige dans la Valee du Morin (estimate: $20,000-$40,000). Both pieces carry important provenance from the artist’s main representative New York galleries at the time.
American modernist offerings include the very rare painted aluminum sculpture, Abat-Jour (Lampshade), 1964, by Man Ray (1890-1976) which is estimated at $20,000-$40,000 and an oil on canvas, Rites of Passage I, 1963, by Leon Golub (1922-2004) which is expected to achieve $30,000-$50,000.
Decoratives and antiques offerings also range from the rich to the rare. In sterling, the star lot will be a circa 1888-1925 David Andersen for Shreve and Company 27 piece hollowware suite in the Viking pattern which carries an estimate of $20,000 to $40,000.
Representing the richness of early California history steeped in the Gold Rush, a scarce and highly sought after Wells Fargo money box bearing J.Y Ayer is being offered as is the U.S. Congressman J.A.J. Creswell (Maryland 1863-1865) Gold Quartz Presentation walking stick dated 1856. Creswell who was also the first U.S. Postmaster General, is reported to be the last person to meet with President Lincoln in the oval office the day of his assassination. This very historic item is estimated at $10,000 to $15,000. (Clars set a world record on price achieved on this type of historic walking stick three years ago when a bidding war ensued driving that sale’s offering to over $80,000.)
Furthering decoratives, the extensive porcelain offerings will be highlighted by a circa 1750 soft paste porcelain group by Saint Cloud, France, estimated to bring $3,000 to $5,000.
