Asian furniture achieves more than $1.5M
Asian antiquities, lead by a pair of Chinese hardwood and huanghuali compound cabinets, attracted $1.5 million of a $2.3 million auction offered by Clars Auction Gallery in early spring.
OAKLAND, Calif. – Clars Auction Gallery’s March 15-16 Fine Art, Jewelry and Decoratives sale saw the Asian category soar higher than $1.5 million, fueling the total of $2.3 million realized.
The top seller of the event was a pair of Chinese hardwood and huanghuali compound cabinets that realized $299,500 against the pair’s high estimate of $50,000. Taking second place, selling for $189,500, was a huanghuali round table and stools, executed in
the drum form. Another pair of Chinese hardwood huanghuali rounded corner cabinets soared past their $40,000 high estimate, ultimately selling for $167,000. Additionally, a single Chinese hardwood and huanghuali rounded corner cabinet and a hardwood and huanghuali side table each sold for $96,000. Overall, in the Asian category, more than 150 lots offered earned more than $1.5 million, with the huanghuali furniture accounting for more than $1.3 million.
The top seller in the Fine Art category was a signed etching and aquatint by Marcel Duchamp (French, 1887-1968) titled “Nine Malic Moulds.” Expected to achieve a high of $6,000, this work sold in excess of three times the high estimate, going out at $19,000.
Several offerings of the photography brought worldwide bidder interest to the sale. A gelatin silver print by Helen Levitt (American, 1913-2009) titled “Harlem Boy with a Black Cat” sold well, finishing at $9,000, followed by the gelatin silver print “Odalisque I,” by Horst P. Horst (American/German, 1906-1999), which earned higher than its estimate, ultimately going for $8,000. Two more works by Horst, “Lobster Salvador” and “Birthday Gloves,” also sold strong, achieving $7,000 and $5,000, respectively.
Many offerings in the decorative arts category outperformed their high estimates as well.
Of particular note were two key pieces. The first, a 19th century Gold Rush era Bowie knife by Will and Finck, San Francisco, wrapped at $6,500. The second is a 19th century Continental Renaissance style figural clock executed in patinated metal with the figure of Atlas supporting the clock sold for $13,000, more than twice its high estimate.
Clars’ next Fine Art, Jewelry and Decoratives Auction is June 14-16, 2014, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Bidding is available in person, by phone, absentee and live online at www.clars.com, and through www.liveauctioneers.com and www.invaluable.com.
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