Clarke Auction Reopens in Bigger Space

Clarke Auction Gallery, located in Larchmont for the past twelve years, opened a bigger space this weekend at 2372 Boston Post Rd. Double the size of the former location, the new facility offers serious collectors and auction newbies alike the chance to purchase fine art, antiques and furniture.  The special two-day event includes the sale of over 300 art lots on Sunday and a furniture sale of over 300 lots on Monday.

Larchmont Mayor Josh Mandell was on hand Sunday to auction the first lot in the new building. Proceeds from a painting by Italian American artist Mel Fowler were donated to benefit Westchester Medical Center's Maria Ferrari Children's Hospital.

On the auction floor, bidders perched on folding chairs, even on couches that will be auctioned off at Monday night's sale. The serious players were easy to spot as they marked off their catalogs and peered over their reading glasses, a few even wore dark shades. One woman knitted nonchalantly, another man read his newspaper—classic poker moves, no doubt. But the person in the next seat wasn't the only competition.

"For every person that's sitting here live, there could be three or four people who are bidding in other ways," explained Thomas Curran, Clarke Auction Gallery representative.

Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Dubai and Spain were just a few of the 27 countries represented on the phones and online. 'Left bids' were placed prior to the auction.

Once the action got underway, markers waved feverishly—one lot went for $150, the next for $16,000, and so it went throughout the afternoon.

Clarke Auction will have a monthly catalogue sale event. Owner Ronan Clarke encourages buyers, especially newbies, to visit previews before each sale to ask questions and see what's available.

"I would tell them to get here early," Clarke said. "If they're buying furniture, check it out. If it's chairs, shake them, move them."  When the gavel falls on that final sale price, Clarke wants customers to be happy with their purchases and return for future auction events.

Local buyers could find the auction market an attractive option compared to retail sellers. "They're buying directly from us," Clarke said. "We sell to a lot of the retailers in the area."

Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Clarke is passionate about his craft. After emigrating to the United States, he operated two antique shops on Bruckner Boulevard in the Bronx—before that, a flea market in Manhattan and a thrift store in Astoria, Queens.

But Clarke Auction is no flea market. Prices range from amazing deals to astronomical sums on true works of art. The Larchmont location has been good for business and Clarke Auction has thrived in Westchester despite being in the shadow of legendary Manhattan blocks—Christie's and Sotheby's.  

In addition to its aggressive, far-reaching advertising, the auction house has benefitted from being perceived as smaller and lower profile.

"I'm not a dealer," Larchmont resident Penny Langolel said. "I buy what I like."

What Langolel liked was nautical-themed art. She bought three paintings and was thinking of putting a left bid on another by James E. Buttersworth on her way out. She's been a customer of Clarke Auction since they opened their first location and had nothing but praise for owner Ronan Clarke and high marks for the new space.

"He's a fair and honest auctioneer," Langolel said. "I wish him the best in the new location."