Clars reports strong prices for top items in March sale

The top offering of the two-day event was among the final lots offered. Lot 8147, a pair of Korean polychrome decorated wood figures, Joseon dynasty, were estimated at $1,000 to $1,500. Prior to the sale, several phone bidders were already scheduled on the piece. Clars President Redge Martin opened the bidding at $1,000 and within minutes, competitive bidding drove the final sale price to $50,363.

Just a few lots prior, a Korean large underglaze blue decorated stoneware jar, also Joseon dynasty, flew past it $500 to $700 estimate selling for $17,775. Rounding out the top sellers in the Asian category was a Chinese large greenish-white nephrite “imperial style” jade seal which also sold for $17,775. Even though the prices realized across the board in the Asian category surpassed expectations, which has become the norm over the past few years, Martin commented that he feels the Asian market “may be leveling off a bit which should be expected.”

It wasn’t just Asian that performed well throughout this two-day sale. Again, according to Martin, “decoratives were strong, furniture did well indicating people are buying again and special collections also performed well.” Closing the first half of their 2011-2012 fiscal year, Clars stands at 5 percent ahead of last year.

Among the special collections that were offered was a rare rock ’n’ roll photography collection from legendary music photographer Jim Marshall (1936-2010). Overall, the entire collection which was sold in seven lots earned over $15,000 with the top lot being a portfolio of 10 unframed platinum prints entitled The Jazz Portfolio which sold for $8,295. Bob Dylan drew the next highest price. A signed unframed gelatin silver print taken in 1966 in New York City sold for $1,300.

Complementing the Jim Marshall collection offered on Sunday, an extensive collection of Hollywood and celebrity memorabilia including posters and autographs was offered during the Saturday session. Comprised of over 200 lots, with names from Lyndon B. Johnson to Elizabeth Taylor, this collection earned just over $18,000. A framed Elizabeth Taylor autographed Cat on a Hot Tin Roof movie poster inscribed “Best Wishes, Elizabeth Taylor” sold for just over $500 as did a signed typewritten letter dated March 6, 1967 by the Beatles indicating “we have just signed a nine year contract with Capital records.”

The Saturday session also featured a rich offering of 19th century European dolls of varying compositions. Expected to sell well, which it did, was a circa 1870 French fashion doll, probably Francois Gaultier, that earned $3,500. Taking second place in this special group was an antique German bisque socket head doll. Expected to sell for $200 to $400, this wonderful example sold for $1,900.

Rounding out the interesting special collections offered were reproduction 19th and 20th century suites of armor. The high seller in this collection was a 15th century-style reproduction comprised of an armet (helmet), full arm defenses, breast, neck and back plates which sold for $1,890. Furthering the arms and armor category was a collection of 19th century Persian flintlock Jezail long-barrel muskets and pistols. The top lot in this collection was a jezail long-barrel musket highly decorated with bone and inlaid coral. This piece earned $1,540.

Turning to Clars’ always strong fine art category, the top seller was the framed oil on canvas, Rheinlandschaft, by Johann Gottfried Pulian (German, 1809-1875) which sold for $11, 258. The next high lot was a framed watercolor on double-sided paper by Jake Lee (Californian, 1915-1991) titled Chinatown and Jalopy, 1959,” which earned a respectable $8,888 followed by Path Through the Mountains by Maurice Brown (Californian, 1890-1948) that sold for $6,518.

Topping the furniture category was a circa 1820 William IV figured mahogany breakfront sold for nicely within estimate at $7,110 and a Continental carved console table executed in the Renaissance taste sold for almost twice its high estimate at $2,225.

The jewelry category, offered late Sunday, saw strong prices on several lots offered. Tied for topping this category was a lady’s cast double spiral design necklace by ilias LALAoUNIS in 22-karat yellow gold which earned $6,517 and a open-face Waltham Premier Maximitts pocket watch which earned the same price.

Clars next two-day Antiques and Fine Art Sale will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 14-15. A highlight of the April sale will be the estate of Seymour Frommer, founder of the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life at the University of California, Berkeley.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.