A Cavalier Attitude

Funny things happen when you become a dog owner. First, you find yourself taking lots of photos of your dog. See the photo above? It's just one of many photos that I've taken in the last month alone. Seriously.

The other alarming thing that I've noticed about myself is that I now take a keen interest in any and all tchotchkes that have a Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel emblazoned on them. I have bought magnetic note pads, stationery, and even socks (yes, socks) with Cavaliers on them. If I'm not careful, I'm going to become one of those squirrely dog owners who wears Cavalier sweatshirts and drives around with a Cavalier license plate on the front of the car. Well, I can't let that happen, so from here on out, I'm going to focus on collecting Cavaliers like these:





These two 19th c. English paintings of Cavaliers both have provenances listed as "Parish Hadley". Available through William Secord Gallery. I love that the two dogs have feathers and slippers just like Alfie. Alfie's tail, however, is much longer than those above.



Such a sophisticated Cavalier, one who is "Admiring Audubon"; Pamela Hall was the artist. Unfortunately, Alfie doesn't seem like much of a reader. (Painting available through William Secord Gallery.)






A c. 1860 micromosaic brooch by Castellani. Auctioned at Christie's London in 2006.



A c. 1890 Tea Caddy made of lacquer and papier mache. Available from Hamshere Gallery.





A c. 1780 Snuff Box depicting a King Charles Spaniel. From Taylor B. Williams Enamels.



A pastel drawing of "Roulette" by Marjorie Cox, 1963. Sold at Christie's in 1999.