Royal Hounds: The Duke & Duchess of Windsor & Pack of Dogs: A Pug Story

  

Pug Disraeli (aka Dizzy) & Duke of Windsor

Inscribed to the Duchess of Windsor, 1955

 

Some say the Duke & Duchess of Windsor were “the most celebrated love story of the 20^th century.”

 

Whatever… I say the most celebrated PUG story.

 

 Duke & Duchess of Windsor’s Dog

 Pug Portrait by P.M. Rudelle

 

The Pugs of the Duke & Duchess of Windsor lived royally.

 

Say what you will about the Duchess of Windsor, the thrice marrieded* Wallis Simpson who would never be Queen, but one fact is clear: she never let it stop her from living like one.

Dog Walker Duchess of Windsor

 

The 9 day Sotheby’s Auction of the Collection of the Duke & Duchess of Windsor, held in February 1998, offered penetrating insight into the lives and tastes of the legendary couple. 

 

And of course, the Duke & Duchess of Windsor’s lives included Dogs.

 

Duke & Duchess of Windsor’s Dog

Pug Portrait by P.M. Rudelle

 

The lucky Dogs that shared their lives with the Duke & Duchess lapped up luxury out of silver-plated or porcelain Dog Bowls, slept on monogram linens, had their portraits painted by the finest artists of the day and wore engraved, gilt collars around their little necks.

Duke & Duchess of Windsor’s Pugs

French Porcelain Dog Bowls

 

Here’s more of my Dog gone favorite Pug paraphernalia from the auction:

 

Duke & Duchess of Windsor’s Dog

Pug Portrait by P.M. Rudelle

 

The Duke & Duchess of Windsor’s Dog Collars, seen below, are both chrome and gold plated.

 

You’ll notice the names of the Windsor’s Canine companions are engraved on the metal Dog Collars:

 

• Peter
• Davey Crockett
• Disraeli
• Trooper
• Gen Sengh
• Minoroo

 Duke & Duchess of Windsor’s Dog Collars

 Lot # 1852, Sotheby’s Auction, 1998

 

The pack of Pugs belonging to the Duke & Duchess of Windsor had a wardrobe of Dog Collars. 

 

Many of the engraved plates included:  “H.R.H. Windsor, 4 Route Champ d’Entrainement, Bois de Boulogne.”  

As if the spoiled little Pugs would run away!

 

The red Moroccan leather Dog Collar below is inscribed in gilt: “J’Appartiens a Wallis Windsor.”

 

 Duchess of Windsor’s Dog Collar, Lot # 1856

 

The Pugs were no doubted pampered, groomed and bathed with care. 

 

Only embroidered bath linens & a bath mat by Porthault were suitable for the Duke & Duchess of Windsor’s Dogs’ bath…

 Embroidered Dog Bath Mat 

 

The Duchess of Windsor was obsessed with perfection.  Bed linens were removed twice daily and ironed…Wallis could not tolerate a single crease.

 

In her own home, at least the Duchess of Windsor was very much Her Royal Highness, Queen of all she surveyed.

Including the Dog bed linens…

 

 Duchess of Windsor’s Embroidered Pug Linens

 

The Pugs slept in the Duchess of Windsor’s bed.

 

Stéphane Boudin the Interior Decorator who transformed the Windsor’s house in Paris; designed the legendary blue bedroom for the Duchess.

 Duchess of Windsor’s Pugalicious Bedroom

 

You’ll notice a single Pug pillow at the head of the Duchess of Windsor’s bed, above.

 

Take note of the precious Pug pillow, because it fetched $13,800 at the Sotheby’s Auction!

Said to be the Duchess of Windsor’s favorite Pug, the petit point pillow features the Dog’s head flanked by his birth date, “55,” and the date of the Dog’s death, “64.”

 

 Pug Pillow Fetched $13,800 at Sotheby’s

 

Of course, everyone will recognize the pack of cotton printed Pug pillows on the settee at the foot of the Duchess of Windsor’s bed.

 

It would seem to me that the Duchess of Windsor was obsessed with perfection except when it came to Pug pillows:

 

Duchess of Windsor’s Pack of Dogs

 

The Louis XV style table in front of the settee at the foot of the Duchess of Windsor’s bed holds yet another Pug from her collection.

 

If you look closely at the bedroom image above, you’ll notice the blue & white Meissen porcelain Pug paperweight. 

 

Duchess of Windsor’s Meissen Pug

 

While it may be good to be Queen…

 

 Duchess of Windsor’s Silver Dog Bowls

 

…I’ll take a Dog’s life any day!

 

Later, I’ve got to let the Dog out,

 

At the conclusion of the The 9 day Sotheby’s Auction of the Collection of the Duke & Duchess of Windsor, sales totaled $23,355,838… over 3 times the estimate of $7,000,000.  Bow-WOW!

 

I scanned all Images above from my auction catalog.  I would appreciate it if you’d drop me a line and link to the Interior Design Hound if you use my images.  Thanks!

 

 * Correction: Thanks John!  See comments below for the correction.  9/15/2011