One of the largest collections of dog collars to ever be seen at auction - including those belonging to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor - will go on sale at Bonhams in New York on Tuesday 12 February 2008. The collars form part of Bonhams 26th annual Dog Sale, which features over 250 lots of dog paintings, works of art and related ephemera. Selected highlights from the sale will also be on preview in London at 101 New Bond Street from Sunday 20 January – Tuesday 22 January.

The group of collars was put together over a number of years and is one of the world’s largest private collections ever assembled, rivalling the famed collection at Leeds Castle. Spanning some 400 years, from the 16th century to the mid 20th century, the collection encompasses collars from the most practical to the most indulgent and ornate.

Of particular note is a group of five leather Pug collars that belonged to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, estimated at $2,000-3,000. The Duke and Duchess had four pugs which they fed from solid silver bowls. One of the collars has a tag declaring: “I belong to the Duke of Windsor”, whilst two of the others are inscribed with the names “Pressie” and” Rookie”.

The earliest example – a German 16th century spiked iron collar - was designed to protect the throats of working dogs, which were prone to attack from wolves whilst hunting or guarding flocks. It is estimated to fetch $3,000-5,000.

Of historical value are two American World War II leather carrying collars. These were intended to be worn by military dogs trained to covertly transfer communications across distances, their encoded messages secured within the collar. Estimated at $1,000-1,500, the collars are a poignant reminder of the loyalty and devotion of man’s best friend, even under extreme circumstances. Equally simplistic in design is a late 19th century three-foot-long leather strip, designed to release two greyhounds simultaneously, estiamated at $1,500-2,000.

There is also a large selection of highly elaborate, engraved silver collars which were presumably worn by the more pampered pooch, including a lavishly engraved Victorian leather and silver collar in the baroque style which could fetch as much as $7,000.

Fans of the film Some Like It Hot will be interested in two watercolours of Irish setters that are the descendents of a dog belonging to the Hollywood film star Tony Curtis. As reported in a local newspaper on 24 March 1967, “On Tuesday “Joanma’s Roberta” as she is registered, left London airport for America- and a future envied by masses of Tony Curtis fans”. Curtis was said to have been so happy with the dog that he was keen to get another one from the same breeder. The two paintings, by K.C Brown (British, active 1937-1962), are estimated at $1,000-1,500.

The sale also features several examples of the work of celebrated artist John Emms (1843-1912), including a stunning kennel interior of a pack of foxhounds on a straw-covered bench, estimated at $60,000-80,000. Another highlight is a beautiful composition in oil by James Hardy, Jnr (1832-1889) depicting three gundogs waiting by the game bag at the end of a day’s shooting. Entitled The First of October, the painting is expected to fetch $60,000-80,000.

Depictions of rare breeds appear among the paintings in the sale such as Capt. R.A.V Hamilton’s portrait of the Champion Kerry Blue International “Blue Sensation”. Collectors will also be delighted to see pictures of varied breeds including Pointers, Labrador Retrievers, Pinschers, Poodles, St Bernards and Setters.

Charlie O’Brien, Bonhams London Specialist says of the sale: “All in all, there should be something for the tastes and pockets of most collectors of canine art. We’re very much looking forward to this, our 26th Dog sale”.

Further highlights include:
Sir John Lavery (British, 1856-1941) Dog on a chair $30,000-50,000
John Emms (British, 1843-1912) Fox Terrier $10,000-15,000
Arthur Wardle (British, 1864-1949) Run to ground $20,000-30,000
Lambert Marshall (British, 1810-1870) An Interior Scene with a Servant and Parson Jack Russell Hunt Terriers $10,000-15,000
Francis Kenneth Elwell (British, 1938-1940) Portrait of the Airedale Terrier bitch Sudstone Vivien $1,000-1,500

Posted: 01|16|08 at 5:06 pm. Filed under: Events.