Edinburgh’s Bonhams Auction House should perhaps be renamed ‘Bone-hams’ next week, as the art experts put 261 dog-centric lots under the hammer.
The sale, being held on Wednesday, July 24, explores the portrayal of dogs in art and all the related objects produced in celebration of man's best friend - from dogs in portraiture, sporting art, and contemporary photography and printmaking, to bronzes, silver and home furnishings.
The star of the show, at Bonhams’ Melville Crescent base, is an oil canvas by William Henry Davis of Colonel Newport Charlett’s Favourite Greyhounds, with an estimate of £50,000-£80,000.
But there are plenty of lots for those with less bulging bank balances, from a series of walking canes with carved dog head handles expected to reach £150-£200, to a signed lithograph of an Airedale Terrier by British artist John Emms estimated at £100-£150.
Leo Webster, Picture Specialist at Bonhams Scotland, said: “The sale has an extraordinary selection of works featuring some of the most eminent animal artists of their time. The Dandie Dinmont returns once more with a painting by the English artist, John Emms and there is charming portrait of a Maltese seated for dinner, but it is the story of the Old English sheep dog, Rufford Ormonde that steals the show, not only a three-times trophy winner but a hero of his day too – saving a woman’s life in the 1800s.”
You can see all of the doggy lots - and bid for your favourite - here.
Meanwhile, here are 13 works set to be sold, along with some four-legged viewers with a keen eye for art.
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1. Happy family
Reuben Ward Binks (1880-1950) is a British artist who painted this picture of a family of West Highland Terriers, in watercolour and gouache. Estimate: £1,200-£1,800. | Bonhams
2. Coastal canine
This painting of a Newfoundland on the English coast is the work of British artist Edmund Bristow (1787-1876). Estimate: £10,000-£15,000. | Bonhams
3. Strike a pose
Indie could have been one of the models for this painting of two Border Terriers called Liz and Brownie, painted by British artist Katherine C. Brown (active 1937-1962). It's expected to be sold £800 - £1,200 (Indie not included). | Bonhams
4. Champion dogs
Reuben Ward Binks (1880-1950) painted this picture of Charles Alington's champion Labrador Retrievers called Dazzle and Flashy. Estimate: £2,500-£3,500. | Bonhams