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Lot Essay
The Pekingese originated in China, where it was thought to have been the privilege of the Royal Family to own one. They were kept by the eunuchs of the Palace and the dog held a special place because of its likeness to the revered lion and hence were known as the little 'lion dog of Peking.' Edward C. Ash noted in Dogs: Their History and Development, 'The Pekingese dog represetned to the Chinese mind a symbol of the great protector of the faith - the Buddha's lions, which when the necessity arose, were produced by stretching forward his hand, his fingers changing into five of these lions, which, roaring with a voice that shook the heavens, brought enemies to subjection.'
The earliest of the Pekingese can be traced in China to the eighth century and they are depicted throughout China's visual history - from vases to tapestries. They were first imported to England in the nineteenth century. The Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi had been very fond of the breed and had taken great care in their breeding. Unfortunately when the English invaded the Palace in 1860, most of the dogs were found dead as the Chinese had not wanted them to be passed to their enemy. Five living dogs were found protecting the body of the Emperor's aunt. Admiral Lord John Hay, Captain of H.M.S. Oding procured a pair. Another pair, later named Guh and Meh, were presented to the Duchess of Richmond and Gordon by a relative of her husband who was in Peking at the time. The last of this group of five was presented to Queen Victoria by General Dunne. During the 1860s several more Pekingese were imported from China and the breed quickly established itself. The Pekingese Club was founded in 1902 and the breed became very popular and perhaps associated with its romantic history, a favorite subject for artists to depict.
The earliest of the Pekingese can be traced in China to the eighth century and they are depicted throughout China's visual history - from vases to tapestries. They were first imported to England in the nineteenth century. The Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi had been very fond of the breed and had taken great care in their breeding. Unfortunately when the English invaded the Palace in 1860, most of the dogs were found dead as the Chinese had not wanted them to be passed to their enemy. Five living dogs were found protecting the body of the Emperor's aunt. Admiral Lord John Hay, Captain of H.M.S. Oding procured a pair. Another pair, later named Guh and Meh, were presented to the Duchess of Richmond and Gordon by a relative of her husband who was in Peking at the time. The last of this group of five was presented to Queen Victoria by General Dunne. During the 1860s several more Pekingese were imported from China and the breed quickly established itself. The Pekingese Club was founded in 1902 and the breed became very popular and perhaps associated with its romantic history, a favorite subject for artists to depict.