Fall 2002 - by Cindy Michalak  

Betsy Denning is such a dear! She missed out sending photos for our last column but was right here for me this issue so that I was able to complete my column in time. Betsy is sharing something from her collection in just about every category! So, without further ado, let’s see what Betsy has come up with!

This first one (right) is an old print, possibly French or German. The Borzoi is lying at the feet of his master. The lady looks longingly at him for attention, with her Pug sitting on his own little “throne.” It measures 15"x8" and is valued around $65 with the lovely original ornate frame.

Here is a cute handmade Borzoi figure done by a woman in Florida to look like Betsy’s CH. Justyl Touch the Sun. Although it’s difficult to see the Borzoi head, Betsy said the pose is exactly the way she remembered “Buddy” playing with the ball. It measures 9" long and tall. It is difficult to place a value on a piece that someone had commissioned, so I won’t try and guess. It’s one of those “worth what you believe it’s worth” kinds of things.

Hopefully Helen can get a good reproduction from this photo (she’s so good at that) of a Russian silver cigarette case showing a Cossack on horseback with 2 Borzoi. It is hard to get a good picture of something silver due to the fl ash of the camera light but you can get an idea here. The case is in relief (scene sticks out away from surface). Betsy says there are markings on the case but they are in Cyrillic and can only be seen with a jeweler’s loup. A rare item and since it is silver, could go at auction as high as $500, depending on the collector and the need to have it in your collection.

At left is a nice older bronze or metal piece. It measures 6"x5" (not including base) and shows a lovely thick coat on the Borzoi. The ears and muzzle resemble the old-type Borzoi or Siberian Wolfhound. Betsy believes this to be from the 1890s but looking at the overall style of the base and figurine, it resembles the 1940s era to me. Depending on if it is real bronze or spelter, the value can fluctuate. If it truly is solid bronze, it would be valued around $300; however, if it is spelter or white metal, the value drops drastically to around $75. By only viewing photos, I cannot give an accurate description.

A beautiful and yet functional item is this lovely Borzoi on a lid covering a nice pottery bowl. This was made by a place called High Horse Farm Pottery in Pennsylvania. The only mark Betsy can make out on the bottom is AMY. It was won at a Borzoi specialty, so many of you out there may have a piece similar to this. The Borzoi was very nicely sculpted but I did not get dimensions of this from Betsy. It looks to be around 6" long and 8" high for a guess. It is another of those items you can’t put a value on, since someone’s dog won it. If it came up for sale though, I would pay around $35 for it, to give you some idea.

Many of you that frequent eBay will be familiar with the gorgeous pewter piece (pictured on continuation page). Two Cossacks on horseback with 4 Borzoi chasing a wolf. Now, what more words would you need to describe such a beautiful scene? This was made by a company in Russia and is usually available on auction for around $120 in unpainted form. This particular figure was meticulously painted right down to the eyes and teeth of the Borzoi. Absolutely breathtaking describes it best. The painted version is around $200 but they vary in price each time they list it. I had to settle for the unpainted version, which is also very nice. The shipping from Russia is very high at $50 but well worth it for what you are receiving. It is 16¾" long, 4" tall and 2½" wide, so can fit on the narrowest shelf.

Darling, cute, precious are words to describe this bronze Borzoi and puppy figurine. It is so cute, that they even gave it a name! It is titled “What hat” and signed Moffatt #2. If you look closely, you can see that the Borzoi puppy, while hanging around mama’s neck, is holding a hat. The dam looks as if she’s asking forgiveness for the puppy. Betsy states that this is bronze, measures 18" long x 8" tall x 7" wide. It was nicely placed on a wood base. I have no idea on the age or origin of this piece but fell in love with it, as I’m sure you will too. It shows a lot of character and is not the typical show pose. The value would depend on the usual factors such as need/ want, availability, age and material used. I don’t know if the wood base was added after the fact or not but it appears to be newer, making it difficult to determine proper age. All things considered, I would pay at least $300 for it.

And we’re at the end of another tale of Unique Zoitiques. I cannot thank Betsy Denning enough for sending the pictures and descriptions for all of us to enjoy. It is a pleasure to read about Borzoi things in other people’s collection. It is the holiday season, so I’m sure I’ll have plenty of new things to show you in the next issue of Borzoi Connection. Keep your fingers crossed for that and I’ll talk to you next year!§