Chinese Huanghuali furniture polishes up $147K

OAKLAND, Calif. – Clars Auction Gallery’s June 16-17, 2018 sale was highlighted by exceptional offerings in Asian art and antiques with a selection of Chinese huanghuali furniture drawing bidders and collectors from around the globe. Notable prices were also achieved on the important offerings in Fine Art, Decorative Arts and Furnishings and Timepieces.

The global demand for rare Chinese huanghuali furniture was evidenced throughout the two-day sale with the eight pieces offered realizing over $147,000. The top lot of this selection was Chinese huanghuali low table inset with three floating panels that surpassed high estimate selling for $51,425. Coming in second was a painting table inset with two floating panels that sold for $39,325 followed by a wine table that outperformed its high estimate earning $29,040. The very next lot, a Chinese huanghuali armchair, soared to twice high estimate fetching $20,570.

In Asian fine art, the top seller was a Chinese scroll attributed to Zhang Daqian (Chinese 1899-1983). Titled “Lotus,” this ink and color on paper sold within estimate for $24,200. In calligraphy, an ink on paper by Yu Youren (Chinese, 1879-1964) sold over its high estimate at $12,100.

A selection of 12 Himalayan painted thangkas depicting various Buddhas and bodhisattva performed impressively as well. In all, the selection realized $28,350 with the top lot being the thangka, Padmasambhavcome, which flew past its high estimate bringing $7,865.

A surprise was had on a Chinese underglaze blue celadon ground vase that was expected to sell for $1,200. The bidding opened at $400, but within minutes competitive bidders drove the final sale price to $11,495.

Rounding out the successful Asian category was a temple-sized Sino-Tibetan Buddha of Shakyamuni that earned $9,680.

The star in the fine art category was the colorful abstract painting (oil on masonite) by Syed Haider Raza (Indian, 1922-2016). Titled, “Sentier,” 1963, this work sold for $33,275. 

An oil on canvas by French artist Edouard Leon Cortes (1882-1969), titled “Le Marche aux Fleur Derriere L’Eglise,” achieved $24,200.

In scultpures, the top seller was the work in bronze titled “Nightfall,” 2010, by Richard MacDonald (American, b. 1946) which hammered at $26,000.

Rounding out the fine art highlights was “Winter at the Library” by Guy C. Wiggins (American, 1883-1962). This New York City snow scene sold for $7,865.

Rolex timepieces reigned supreme at this sale with a collection of six barely worn watches earning over $53,000. The top seller was a 2005 Rolex black Dial Cosmograph Daytona stainless steel wristwatch, Ref: 116520, that flew past estimate selling for $15,730. Coming in second place was a 2005 Rolex White Dial Cosmograph Daytona stainless steel wristwatch, Ref: 116520, which fetched $14,520.

In diamonds and jewelry, a Judith Ripka diamond and 18k white gold bracelet (total diamond weight of 7 carats) dazzled at $6,050.

This category was highlighted by large collection of U.S. and international gold and silver coins which came to the sale from the Dominican Friars Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, Oakland, California.

The top three lots in this collection, each selling for $6,655, were a set of 1898 Sweden 20 Kronor gold coins KM#748, followed by a lot of 20 1911 Finland Markkaa gold coins KM#9.2, and a set of four U.S. $20 St. Gaudens gold coins: (2) 1924, 1 (1927), 1 (1928). The total collection sold for $53,700.

For more information and a complete list of prices realized, visit www.Clars.com.