Bonhams yearly dog art sale which coincides with the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in NYC is tomorrow, February 16, 2011. This year appears to be an interesting mix of traditional and whimsical. Here are my picks, not the star of the show, which is this Black Lab painting by Maud Earl, but the pieces I like best.
For more information visit Bonhams. To browse the entire catalog click here.
Bonhams 28th Dog Art Sale just wrapped up and the most talked about piece, Charles Dickens’s leather and brass dog collar has surpassed expectations of its $4,000 – $6,000 estimate, selling for $11, 590. The collar, engraved with the Victorian author’s name, C. Dickens, Esq., and address, Gad’s Hill, Place, Hingham, was featured in Bonhams’s catalogue with this article depicting Dickens’s fondness for his many dogs and, as in the case of General George Washington, his originality in naming them:
‘All animals which he took under his especial patronage seemed to have
a marked affection for him. Quite a colony of dogs has always been a
feature at Gad’s Hill. When Dickens returned home from his last visit
to America, these dogs were frequently spoken of in his letters. In
May, 1868, he writes: “As you ask me about the dogs, I begin with them.
The two Newfoundland dogs coming to meet me, with the usual carriage
and the usual driver, and beholding me coming in my usual dress out at
the usual door, it struck me that their recollection of my having been
absent for any unusual time was at once cancelled. They behaved (they
are both young dogs) exactly in their usual manner; coming behind the
basket phaeton as we trotted along, and lifting their heads to have
their ears pulled,—a special attention which they receive from no one
else. But when I drove into the stable-yard, Linda (the St. Bernard)
was greatly excited, weeping profusely, and throwing herself on her
back that she might caress my foot with her great fore-paws. M.’s
little dog, too, Mrs. Bouncer, barked in the greatest agitation, on
being called down and asked, ‘Who is this?’ tearing round and round me
like the dog in the Faust outlines.”‘ James T. Fields, Atlantic, August, 1870
And in case the Winter Olympics is not satisfying your need to indulge in nationalistic stereotyping, I offer you a few more dog collars to interpret based on nation of origin…
Swiss dog collars, early 20th century. Sold for $519.
Iron dog collar with protective spikes from Germany, 17th century. Sold for $1, 342.
In the painting category, the star of the show, John Emms’s The Bitchpack of the Meath Foxhounds
failed to realize its $500,000 – $700,000 estimate. But it did sell for a respectable $482,000. Given that another Emms painting, The New Forest Hounds, sold for the world record price of $842,250 in 2006, I’d say whoever purchased The Bitchpack got a great deal.
The Bitchpack of the Meath Foxhounds by John Emms, 1896. Sold for $482,000.
See all the auction results here.
Bounce by James Barenger, 1811, sold for $45,750
With reports that the economy had taken its toll both on ticket sales and the number of dogs competing at this year's Westminster Dog Show in NYC, it's exciting to hear that at Bonhams' Dog Art auction sales were up. The fact that Bonhams was the only dog art auction this week might have been a factor, since Doyle, the other auction house that usually competes with them this week, pushed back their annual dog art show until March 24 when the weather is better and the dog fanciers will not be torn between the championship finals and the art. But, given that the hammer went down at Bonhams on $810,000 total sales on the same day the Dow tumbled 381 points on news of Treasury Secretary Geithner's bailout plan, the power of dogs in art appeared indisputable.
The fact that they had many of the superstars of dog art helped too, with dog art lovers able to invest in excellent examples of works by blue chip artists. The pack leader was John Emms's Hounds and a Terrier on a Bench which fetched $218,000.
Other highlights included:
Bob Finds a Covey by Percival Leonard Rosseau, 1920, sold for $42,700
Rough and Smooth Basset Hounds on Oak Screen by Maud Earl, 1863-1943, sold for $26,840
Old Bridge Bob by Herbert Thomas Dicksee, 1938, sold for $17,080, above its top estimate of $12,000
The surprise of the day was the fierce bidding over one of the prettiest pictures, William Bruce's White English Terrier (below). It fetched $17, 080, more than double its top estimate of $6,000.
English White Terrier by William Bruce, 1903, sold for $17,080
One at a Time by John Elsley, 1901, still needs a home
But my favorite comment to sum up the day comes from Sharlene Spingler, one of the auction house's clients. She wrote:
"What is interesting to note about [the] Best in Show sale is that it occurred on a day when the stock market sunk by 381 points!!!!! Yet the enthusiasm for puppies did not fail. Rather it triumphed over economic adversity and the beautiful creatures were impervious to the temporal fluctuations of the stock market – leaving such fiscal ponderings to the minds of mere mortals!"
Or to put it another way: Dogs rule!
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Victorian Staffordshire Spaniels, estimate: $600 to $800.
L.A. auction house Bonhams & Butterfields hosts a sale this Sunday, March 30th, of nearly 2,000 pieces from the late collector Jennifer Berry that is filled with treasures for dog art lovers.
And although Alan
Fausel, Bonhams’ vice president and director of fine art, estimates that sales of such dog-themed memorabilia have increased
30% during the last five years, and prices have kept pace with demand, there are lots of lots under $500. Pieces include vintage paintings, photos, furniture, walking sticks, lamps, and more from the estate of a passionate dog and art lover. Here are some of my picks.
Cast-iron paint hound bust, estimate: $1,000 to $1,500.
19th century dog-themed canes, estimate $1,000 to $2,000.
A small side table with a cast iron dog handle, estimate: $200 to $300.
Two framed, glazed ceramic tiles, each 9" tall and 21" wide, estimate: $300 to $500.
A collection of silver plate table articles with a dog motif, estimate $400 to $600.
19th century tintype of a dog with sheep, estimate: $1,000 to $1,500.
Viewing and auction begin at 10am Sunday, March 30th. Jennifer Berry’s estate sale will start at approximately 1pm. Visit Bonhams & Butterfields for more information.
Uno and the “ah-roo! heard ’round the ring.”
AP Photo
Uno, the perfect 10 Beagle, won the Super Bowl of dog shows this week with his precociousness and precision. The crowd went wild, chanting his name as he made his final lap before the judges. And when judge J. Donald Jones stood before the contestants and asked for the Beagle, Madison Square Garden erupted with cheers and gave Uno the show’s first standing ovation. If the Longhaired Dachshund, who came in second in the hound group (I was devastated), had to lose, I’m glad it was to “the people’s dog” who went all the way. Congratulations, Uno, you are just perfect!
The New York Times has a great behind-the-scenes fashion slide show. Here are some of my favorite shots.
Megan Fracrik, a handler, with her brushed-out Tibetan terrier.
Photo: Timothy A. Clary/Agence France-Presse – Getty Images
Mariah, an Old English sheepdog, with Jeff Yutzy.
Photo: Michael Falco for The New York Times
Geri Kelly with Buddy, her miniature schnauzer.
Photo: Lucas Jackson/Reuters
Vincent, an American cocker spaniel, is ready to be shown.
Photo: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Mary MacQuiddy caged with Louie, an otterhound.
Photo: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
In dog art news, Katya Kazakina of Bloomberg.com reports on mixed results. The John Emms 1889 Foxhounds and Hunt Terriers on a Bench, which also featued some perfect Beagles, was the top lot at the Bonhams’s Dog Art Sale going for $66,000, just over its low estimate of $60,000. But 33% of the lots failed to sell.
Over at Doyle New York’s 10th Annual Dogs in Art Auction, one of Cassius Marcellus Coolidge’s famed “dogs
playing poker” paintings entitled Only A Pair of Deuces sold for $193,000 well above its high estimate of $80,000.
Another surprise was the bargain Lynn Florian found at Bonhams, where she picked up the five pug collars previously owned by the Duke of Windsor for $1,680 below the presale low estimate of $2,000. No word as to whether she will frame them for display or let her two English Cocker Spaniels wear them. Lynn, please send me a photo of your pups in the royal collars if you do.
Lot No: 225 – John Emms Foxhounds and a hunt terrier on a bench. Estimate $60,000 – 80,000.
Auction house Bonhams is holding its next Dog Sale to coincide with the Westminster Dog Show on February 12, 2008 in NYC. Here are some of my favorite dog art picks.
Lot No: 27 – Early 20th century pair of British glazed ceramic tiles by Minton and Hollins Co. depicting a pointer and a setter in glazed relief set in a gilt frame. Estimate $600 – 800.
Lot No: 17 – Victorian watercolor and pinprick picture of a spaniel with a pheasant. Estimate $400 – 600.
Lot No: 29 – Victorian pierce-carved oak and needlepoint slipper holder with dog’s head. Estimate $800 – 1,200.
Lot No: 143 – A pair of diamond and ruby golden Labrador cufflinks. Estimate $1,200 – 1,800.
Lot No: 33 – Victorian wool needlepoint depicting a recumbent spaniel. Estimate $800 – 1,200.
Lot No: 38 – American cast bronze ‘Doggie’ doorknob. (I love the paws!) Estimate $7,000 – 9,000.
Lot No: 205 – Sir John Lavery R.A., R.S.A., R.H.A. (1856-1941). Dog on a chair. Estimate $30,000 – 50,000.
Lot No: 58 20th century silvered metal bulldog curling iron. Awesome!!! Estimate $300 – 500
Lot No: 206 – Arthur Wardle two Fox Terriers. “Anticipation.” Esitmate $30,000 – 40,000.
Lot No: 127 – Five leather Pug collars and one leather lead belonging to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. One tag reads “I belong to the Duke of Windsor, Blencathra, Bell Boy” on one side and “Thomas” on the other. Two other are inscribed with the names “Rookie” and “Preesie.” The Windsors adored their Pugs.
(Melissa, maybe Emmitt needs one of these.) Estimate $2,000 – 3,000.
Lot No: 126 – Three woolen Pug coats made for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s Pugs. This is one of the most beautiful pieces of dog apparel I’ve ever seen. Perhaps it was made by a royal taylor in a Savile Row shop. Exquisite! Estimate $1,500 – 2,500.
Lot No: 259 – 1925 William Walls Pekingese painting. Estimate $400 – 600. (Wendy, this is for you.)
Thanks to the fabulous Michèle of Eurodogtraining for the heads up on Bonhams’s Dog Sale.
