Gorham silver hot beverage service may see $70K
Leading the offering of sterling silver, and possibly all lots of the Sept. 19-20 auction offered by Clars Auction Gallery, is a Gorham Martele six piece hot beverage service.
OAKLAND, Calif. – On Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20, 2015, Clars Auction Gallery will wrap up the 2014-2015 fiscal year with a major Fine Art, Decorative, Jewelry and Asian Art sale that will be a world-class experience for buyers and collectors around the globe. Once again, Clars will be offering significant property from major collections including the Richard Mellon Scaife Estate, The Hirschhorn Museum (Washington, D.C.), The Art Institute of Chicago, the Lizabeth Virginia Scott Estate of Los Angeles and Trotter’s Antiques of Pacific Grove (CA) to name just a few.
Following the overwhelming success from the sale of the David C. and Sarajean Ruttenberg (Chicago, Illinois) photography collection in 2014, Clars’ is once again pleased to be offering well over 300 works by the world’s finest 19th and 20th century photographers from the Art Institute of Chicago and numerous other private collections. The impressive list of featured artists include Berenice Abbott, Ansel Adams, Ruth Bernard, Edward Boubat, Bill Brandt, Brassai, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Julia Margaret Cameron, Lucien Clergue, Imogen Cunningham, Edward Curtis, Michael Disfarmer, Robert Doisneau, Harold Eugene Edgerton, as well as many others.
Among the many fine art categories that will be highlighted are marine paintings from the late 19th and early 20th century. One of the significant offerings will be an oil on canvas titled, “On the Irish Coast (1893),” by William Trost Richards (American, 1833-1905). Estimated at $40,000-$60,000, this painting clearly shows the artist’s mastery in the genre of marine art. In 1866, Richards traveled to England where he immersed himself in studying and perfecting the structure of waves and the effects of weather on the sea and shore. He later moved to Newport, Rhode Island where he continued mastering this style.
A beautiful and tonal painting titled, “Fishermen on the Docks,” by Armin Hansen (1886-1957) is estimated at $20,000-$40,000. Painted in the 1920s, the painting also has a visible oil sketch of boats on the reverse side of the canvas. Hansen, a native of San Francisco, is most recognized for marine subject matter and his dramatic use of light. Another maritime highlight is an historically relevant oil on canvas by William Coulter (American, 1849-1936) titled, “Bay Scene (San Francisco)” which is being offered at $8,000-$12,000.
Clars will be offering the ‘best of the best’ in 19th and 20th century American landscape painters
from the East Coast on September 20th. Among the important works to be offered comes one from David Johnson (American, 1827-1908) with the painting titled, Hudson River Scene, estimated at $15,000- $20,000. This oil on canvas is a classic example of the artist’s work and demonstrates his knowledge as a painter who was well aware of this beautiful upstate New York area. As a second generation Hudson River School artist, his work shows his skills at capturing the rich foliage of the area.
The painting, Path Through the Birches, by Albert Bierstadt (American, 1830-1902) demonstrates his ability to capture the essence of nature and is estimated at $8,000 and $12,000. Known as one of America’s best landscapists, Bierstadt does not disappoint with this detailed and enchanting work, emphasizing the peace and serenity of the great outdoors.
American portraiture will be well represented in this sale. Lilian Westcott Hale (1881-1963) will be one of the highlighted artists in this category with a wonderful example that demonstrates her ability to bring both beauty and liveliness to her figures. The painting, Portrait of an Officer, with an estimate of $15,000-$20,000 is one such example. Her gift for incorporating great detail and dimension into her impressionistic style elevates her from other portrait painters of her time. Another staple artist in this highly collectible genre in American art is painter, Louis Comfort Tiffany (American, 1848-1933). His oil painting, Orientalist Portrait of a Man, which will be offered at $8,000-$12,000, and highlights his interests in diverse cultures. Tiffany was known, not only for his landscapes, which he perfected under the study of renowned landscapist George Inness, but for his studies and renderings of Islamic and Eastern lifestyles.
Investment level furniture, decorative art and important special collections will be the focus of this category. Sterling will no doubt be the highlight as a Gorham .9584 silver Martele six piece hot beverage service, 1917, 404.60 troy oz. comes to the sale from the collection of Trotter’s Antiques in Pacific Grove, (CA). This remarkable set will be offered for $50,000-$70,000.
Among the special collections will be Western artifacts and weaponry coming from various important estates. In weaponry, an important pair of circa 1850 percussion pistols, from the collection of Trotter’s Antiques, is cased in a fitted Boulle style box. Bearing Belgian hallmarks, this pair was likely finished in Paris, France and will be offered for $25,000-$35,000. A Colt .38 caliber 1877 ‘Lightening’ revolver, with matching serial numbers 08188, carries an estimate of $4,000-$6,000, and a pair of Tatham & Egg cased flintlock muff pistols, circa 1810, is expected to fetch $2,000-$4,000.
Additional potential top-selling lots include:
• Carved and painted carousel horse, by C.W. Parker Company ($3,000-$5,000)
• 1770 American Queen Anne flat top highboy ($6,000-$9,000)
• From the noted estate of Richard Melon Scaife, a Chinese four-panel folding screen ($5,000-$7,000)
• Pair of Chinese huanghuali hardwood armchairs ($15,000-$25,000)
• Ceylon ruby, diamond and 18k white gold ring ($18,000-$25,000)
• Lady’s Patek Philippe Tiffany & Co. diamond and 18k yellow gold wristwatch ($14,000-$16,000)
Clars Auction Gallery’s Important Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry/Timepieces and Asian Art Auction will be held Saturday and Sunday, September 19th and 20th , 2015. The sales will begin promptly at 9:30am on Saturday and Sunday. Previews for this sale will be held Friday, September 18th from 1pm to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9:00 am and by appointment.
For more information, please visit www.clars.com or email info@clars.com
