At last I was able to convince Lynn Shell to put aside her real work and share some of her Unique Zoitiques with us. Lynn has many lovely items and it was difficult to narrow it down to seven pieces, but here are some beautiful metal and porcelain Borzoi to make you drool. Also note this is the first time we are using digital pictures, so please bear with us if they aren’t perfect.

This is definitely an interesting looking item. It is actually a lamp or nightlight with the bulb located at the back. This is similar in style to that of the 1950s TV lamps that were so popular in that day and age. Although it is a resin material, the design with the many differently posed Borzoi on it is wonderful. It measures 111⁄2 x 11 and was made by Jennifer Benedict of Southern California. Lynn told me Jennifer has been commissioned to make Borzoi items by the Borzoi Club of California for several of their specialties over the years.

Here is a lovely porcelain pin that Lynn bought at the big Astroworld series of dog shows (which is in Texas for those of you overseas). While she is unsure of the age, Lynn believes Beth Hickman, famed animal artist, may have made this because it has the initials BH. You can find many nice things with Beth’s Borzoi artwork on the Internet. This measures 3 1⁄4 x 2 1⁄2 with a pin backing, although Lynn is afraid to wear it and displays it on a small holder in her home instead.

A typical Borzoi pose shows this beautiful bronze Borzoi lying on a favorite rug. Measuring 9 x 31⁄2, Lynn said it was made by Shirley Zindler. I was told that Lynn fought for this piece tooth and nail at the 2002 Atlanta Nationals Borzoi Art Auction. She didn’t say how much she paid, but I’ll bet it wasn’t cheap. I guess I will have to attend more Nationals because Lynn said she had picked up a few more of Shirley Zindler’s pieces at the Reno National as well.

A nicely detailed metal Borzoi takes a walk across this heavy polished marble slate, and includes a picture holder, which looks like it could be bakelite. This rare item measures 15 x 6. Obviously this is an older Zoitique probably from the 1940s. Many of the marble pieces came from France or Belgium, but I am not certain where this originated. You can expect to pay at least $300 or more for this pretty artifact.

Limited to 150 total made, just look at all the detail put into making this Borzoi! Every hair is defined, as well as the pads on the feet. Lynn says it measures 31⁄2 x 21⁄2 and that she bought it from the Astroworld Series of Dog Shows (same place as the porcelain pin). I have no idea what Lynn paid for this piece, and I try not to be too nosey asking what people paid for things. Also, I cannot place values on items that are new, as it wouldn’t be fair to the artist.

I think it’s dangerous for Lynn to attend dog shows, because here is another Borzoi piece she bought at a dog show! A gorgeous Borzoi modeled from clay and then fired in the kiln for strengthening of the material. The Borzoi is resting on an ottoman and measures 81⁄2 x 4. Lynn wanted to get more information by attending a show the vendor always sets up at, however, the vendor didn’t come that day. So, while I can’t give much information on this item, I would like to say that I love it and would welcome it to my collection any day! It resembles that of the old Kay Finch (a past Afghan breeder) figurines. I think it’s dangerous for Lynn to attend dog shows, because here is another Borzoi piece she bought at a dog show!

At left is a lovely marble clock with a reclining metal Borzoi. These large items were popular around the 1940s. The Borzoi is probably pot metal instead of bronze. Most of the old marble clocks will use lightweight pot metal figures instead of bronze because the marble already makes the object very heavy. Lynn says that the main piece is 18 1⁄2 x 8. The clock is not in working order, but might only need a cleaning (provided all the parts are there). These clocks are usually one-day clocks requiring winding every day. So, it’s easier to just enjoy it for the beauty than to keep time and have to wind on a daily basis. Clocks like this will usually fetch around $500 or more, even in non-working order. That wraps up another issue of Unique Zoitiques. Special thanks go to Lynn Shell for sharing her wonderful treasures with us.

For the next issue, even though I am cutting way back on growing my collection any further, I do have several new and lovely items to share with you. In the meantime, let your Borzoi strut their stuff and I wish big wins to all of you - whether it’s your dog at a dog show, or you just winning the love of your Borzoi!§