I spotted this pair of beautiful Borzoi Dogs at the Antique & Design Center in Market Square at the recent High Point Market.

 

The Dogs were guarding a beautiful painted piece of furniture from Luisana Designs and Antiques.

 

Borzoi Statues, Luisana Designs & Antiques

Antique & Design Center, High Point. Image: IDH

 

I had a hot flash when I laid eyes on them.  

 

They were To-Die-For. Seriously.

 

The regal Hounds, circa 1909, were special in every way. (Note the red sticker Karen Luisana slapped on those Puppies. *Sigh* They were sold.)

 

Just take a look at the drool-worthy Dog Collars the elegantly turned out Fashion Hounds were wearing:

 

 Borzoi Beauty.  Image: Interior Design Hound

  

To. Die. For!  If you’re a regular reader, you know how much this Interior Design Hound covets Dog Collars.

 

These collars were especially show-stopping with their faux-stones, jewels & wonderful finish that can only be aquired with time & wear. 

 

Borzois have such a refined & sophisticated style, its hard to imagine they were fierce wolve hunters, isn’t it?

 

While often associated with the Art Deco period, the Hounds were fashionable long before.

 

 King of Hunting Dogs.  Image: Borzois

   

N.A. Martynnow, a prominent artist & draftsman durning the reign of Nicholas I, imortalized the Borzoi in a series of 28 etchings from 1874-1879. 

   

The Dog portraits, all owned by members of the Russian Imperial family & prominent Russians of the day, were originally exhibited by the Imperial Society of Russian’s Royal Court. 

 

King of Hunting Dogs.  Image: Borzois

 

In 1934, a Russian born American reproduced 300 portfolios featuring the Dog portraits, bearing the Imperial Crest of the of the House of Romanav.

 

I spotted three of the beautiful Borzoi Dog prints at the Antique & Design Center in Market Square in the booth of Stanley Antiques & Fine Art while at High Point.

 

 Borzoi Prints. Image: Heirloom Philosphy

   

Stanley Antiques & Fine Art  proved you can make classic Dog prints look fresh + modern with the right framing.  The Borzois were mounted in silver, floating frames. 

  

If you’re looking to make a serious Dog design statement, the dealer has a total of 23 of the Russian Borzoi prints! 

 

Measuring in at 18″ x 24” framed, you could cover an entire wall with the art prints. You’ll find them here. 

  

The Borzoi was a favorite of British Royalty, too:

 

Image: Noble Hounds and Dear Companions

 Thomas Fall Dog Photo, Late 1890’s.

  

The Princess of Wales (later Queen Alexandra) is pictured above with her Dog Alex.  The Borzoi was presented to her in 1895 from the Tzar’s Kennels, via A. J. Rousseau.

  

Royal Borzoi,1902.  Image: Interior Design Hound

  

While Alex is the most well-known Borzoi belonging to Queen Alexandra, it was Vassilka who achieved Champion status.

  

Vassilka, a Borzoi born in 1902, was a gift from Tsar Alexander III and Tsarina Maria Feodorovina (Queen Alexandra’s sister).

  

King Edward VII commissioned a silver model of the Champion Borzoi from the workshop of  Fabergé in 1907.

 

 

Fabergé Borzoi. Image: Noble Hounds  

 

King Edward VII & Queen Alexandra were Dog-lovers, having established the kennels at Sandringham in 1876.   

 

The painting Queen Alexandra with her Grandchildren and Dogs shows the Queen outside of the kennels at Sandringham in 1902 surrounded by a variety of Dogs, including the Borzoi Alex. 

  

 

  

Painted by Fred Morgan and Thomas Blinks, you’ll note three Grandchildren including Prince Edward*, who is holding a whip.  (*Duke of Windsor, abdicated the throne for Wallis Simpson)

 

A print of the painting was availble free of charge according to this advertisement from 1902:

 

 Queen Alexandra Dog Print 1902, IDH.

  

I’ve never come across the Queen Alexandra with her Grandchildren and Dogs “free” print, have you?  

 

It was said that the Queen knew the names of all the Dogs in the Royal Kennels at Sandringham. 

 

She found great joy in giving each one of her four-legged friends a royal treat.  

 

 

Sandringham Dog Treats, 1902. Image: IDH

 

Just like us, the Queen knew her Dogs would always be happy to greet her…especially if she had treats! 

 

 

Later, I’ve got to let the Dogs out,

  

 

 

 More on Borzoi style & influenence on the world of design to come…stay tuned.

 

Do you have an interesting vintage or antique Dog item you’d like to share?  Drop me a line, I’d love to see it.