British
artist Lilian Cheviot (active 1894 - 1930) is usually associated
with ‘chocolate box’ studies of cute terriers or
toy breeds but this detail from a political/patriotic study
of a Bulldog and union flag, provocatively titled Wake up
England represents another side to her talent. Estimated to
realise $10,000-15,000 (£10,000) it is one of 261 lots
entered in the Doyle/Bonhams sale New York sale on Tuesday
February 11th.
by
Paul Keevil
After leading the field for so many years with its innovative
Dogs in Art themed auctions, which started back in 1984, Bonhams
has seen many changes both within itself and with this sale
in particular. The old and original firm of Bonhams was established
in 1793 and a few years back it merged with a young upstart
of a company, the auto auction firm of Brooks and became Bonhams/Brooks.
Then more recently another merger took place with the equally
old auction house of Phillips and the company was once again
named plain old Bonhams.
This
really charming study titled A Maltese on a Blue Cushion is
by an unidentified artist from what the auctioneers call the
Continental School. Measuring 10" x 14" it carries
an estimate of $1,500-2,000 (lot 150)
With more and more of the paintings from the Dogs in Art sales
going to buyers in the USA - and after falling totals in London
- a move was made in 1999 to New York, to coincide with the
annual Westminster Dog Show held each February at Madison
Square Garden. For some time, Bonhams has been co-operating
with the New York based William Doyle Gallery on a mutual
promotional basis and they became the obvious choice to host
the sale. Since then, the expansion of Bonhams has continued
with absorption of the Butterfields auction house, which has
sale rooms in Los Angeles and San Francisco and I can't help
but wonder where this places Doyle's within the ever expanding
Bonhams group of companies.
This year’s catalogue also shows a subtle change of emphasis
as it is now called the Doyle/Bonhams Dog in Art, sale and
for the first time the catalogue estimates are only in $US
with no Stirling equivalent. A quick flick through the catalogue
makes me think that more and more of the lots this year have
actually been consigned from within the US. The sale consists
of 261 lots with estimates ranging from $75- to $60,000. As
was traditional at the London sales the first 50 lots are
for small collectables, such as Bronzes, engravings, prints
and miscellany.
There
are a large number of Peke paintings in the sale, this study
of Jero's Pu zin by British artist Robert C G Allen being
one of the more unusual ($1,000-1,500) (lot 242)
There is an excellent spread of breeds and artists. Most of
the big names are included, such as from the UK Landseer,
The Earls, Thomas, George and Maud, Arthur Wardle and John
Emms. Artists from Europe include Somon Simonsen, Ejnar Vindfeldt,
Henriette Ronner-Knip, Carl Reichert and Conradyn Canaeus.
And from the US, Gladys Emerson Cook, Morgan Dennis and Persis
Kirmse.
One major disappointment was the distinct lack of paintings
showing "working" dogs. There are no Collies or
St Bernard's and only one GSD in the sale. There are however
17 separate paintings of Pekes, most of them named, showing
that the breed must have kept the commission artists in business
during the first half of the last century. Bonhams have also
learnt that this is not the sale to place fine Foxhunting
paintings in, these being much better suited to the themed
Sporting sales which seem to have sprung up in the last few
years.
Many British collectors I have spoken to over the last few
years have been reluctant to place a bid on this sale now
it has moved to New York, fearing huge extra charges, such
as import duty and/or VAT plus shipping. In reality these
should be no more than just a little above the usual charges
for the London sale. If you are interested in a lot, the man
to speak to in London is Charles O'Brien, at the Bonhams telephone
number below.
Great
Dane collectors will find this lot of great interest as it
includes not one, but two paintings of named dogs by the little
knows Geoffrey Williams. Illustrated is Verinda of Send. Also
included is Susan of Sivoke. Could be the bargain of the sale
at just $1,500-2,000
(lot 251)
It is difficult to single out individual lots in a sale such
as this, but worthy of a mention is a picture by Maud Earl
(1863-1943) of a Scottie bitch and her pup playing tug of
war, signed and dated 1904 ($12,000-18,000). I was also rather
taken by the pair of Gundog studies by British artist Thomas
Blinks (1860-1912). Included together are two two separate
coloured chalk studies on blue paper, the first showing Welsh
Springers, a Pointer and an English Setter and the second
showing Gordon, Red & White and English Setters ($3,000-5,000).
The front cover of the catalogue shows a painting by Philip
Eustace Stretton (active 1884-1919) showing a brace of wire
haired Terriers, possibly a Lakeland and a Wire, set against
a background of sheaves of corn, guarding a wicker picnic
basket and a stone ware cider jug. One of the more expensive
lots in the sale at $25,000-35,000.
However top billing price wise goes to a rather mundane study
of a Gillie with a Gordon and a Red & White Setter by
John Emms (1843-1912) signed and dated (18'86) and measuring
a respectable 36" x 28" (91 x 71). It carries the
huge estimate of $40,000-60,000 and judging by how other paintings
by this artist have sold in new York, including a world record
for the artist, I would assume that the pre-sale estimate
would be an accurate reflection of what will be achieved at
the sale. It doesn't do anything for me however!
Andrew
Scott Rankin (b. 1868) was a Scottish born Artist who only
painted Scottish breeds and did several unusual and off beat
studies as shown by this watercolour study of a cairn Terrier
titled A Christmas Wait ($800-1,200) (lot 188)
The sale takes place at the William Doyle Galleries 175 East
87th Street, New York NY 10128, on Tuesday February 11th at
1pm (6pm GMT) with viewing on the three days prior to the
sale. All absentee and telephone bids need to be in place
by 5pm (US time) on the evening prior to the auction. Doyle's
may be contacted direct by telephone on 001 212 427 2730 and
fax on 001 212 369 0892 or via e-mail on info@doylegalleries.com
The catalogue for this Dogs in Art sale can also be viewed
online at: www.doylegalleries.com
As an innovation this year, "registered" users are
now able to leave "absent" bids on line via the
Doyle web site listed above. Internet bids have an extended
deadline of 8am the morning of the sale. To register, click
on "Buying and Selling" on the website homepage
and then go to "Internet Bidding" and follow the
instructions.
Catalogues (at £15- + p&p) and additional information
on the sale may be obtained from Bonhams in London on 0171-393-3900
or via fax on 0171-393-3905, or via e-mail on c.obrien@bonhams.com.
If you have trouble viewing the sale on the Doyle's web site
(as I did) then try the Bonhams one thus: www.Bonhams.com
Top
quality Leonberger depictions are few and far between and
this outstanding
oil painting by the Dutch artist Conradyn Cunaeus (1828-1895)
really is one of the best
I have ever seen. A snip at $10,000-15,000! (lot 203)
The
very under rated Fanny Moody
(c.1861-1948) has four lots in the sale,
all of them Terriers.
This pastel study of two Wire Fox Terriers is the cheapest
at $1,200-1,500 (lot 222) |
This
painting of two black Labradors by Arthur Wardle (1864-1949)
was the original artwork for a picture postcard published
by James Henderson & Sons Ltd from its J3-Sporting
Dogs set, card number 2635. The painting would have been
commissioned by Wardles publisher, Fred Mansell and then
licensed the publishing rights to Henderson's. Used in
the pre-sale publicity in the US, it carries a pre sale
estimate of £18,000-24,000 (lot 223) |
