Pictures once owned by The Rolling Stones drummer the late Charlie Watts are among those going under the hammer in an auction of dog paintings. The dog sale at Bonhams in Edinburgh will include artwork featuring a range of breeds, from spaniels and St Bernards to deerhounds and terriers.
One of the paintings once held in the collection of Watts is A Proud Mother by Robert Alexander, which is estimated to fetch £4,000-£6,000. Depicting a collie with its pups, it was originally exhibited at the Royal Academy in London in 1879.
Watts' passion for collies
Bonhams said Watts was a devoted lover of dogs, owning nine collies with his wife, and was a patron of the Forever Hounds Trust. Leo Webster, picture specialist at Bonhams, said: "We're exceptionally lucky to be offering paintings by of some of the most sought-after artists of dogs, from the 19th century to the 21st."
Webster added: "The sale contains a wonderfully diverse range of breeds, from large deerhounds, St Bernards, and setters to smaller toy breeds like Affenpinschers, spaniels, and the ever-charming Dandie Dinmonts. There's something for every dog lover."
International collector interest
The dog sale consistently sparks fantastic interest from collectors around the world, according to Webster. He said this year's auction is no exception, with the same international buzz building already.
The works in this sale come from a range of sellers, including some passionate collectors who've dedicated years, even lifetimes, to building their dog art collections. Webster noted: "The loyalty goes both ways."
Valuable spaniel painting
Webster revealed: "A few paintings in this year's sale once belonged to Charlie Watts, drummer for The Rolling Stones, and judging by the collies featured in his collection, it's safe to say he had a soft spot for them." Other pictures in the sale include a painting by Eugene Verboeckhoven, titled Duke, depicting a King Charles spaniel, which is estimated at £15,000-£20,000.
A 19th century British painting titled Dandie Dinmont Terrier Ginger III, by an artist known as APB, is estimated to sell for £3,000-£5,000. The long bodied, short-legged terriers were named after Dandie Dinmont, a central character in the Sir Walter Scott novel Guy Mannering.
July auction date
The sale takes place on July 23.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
