Paintings of Barbara Taylor Bradford's dogs to fetch over £1000 each

Telegraph

17-04-2025

Paintings of Barbara Taylor Bradford's dogs are set to fetch more than £1,000 each at an auction of her belongings.
The writer achieved widespread fame in 1979 with the publication of her debut novel A Woman of Substance, the beginning of a seven-book literary saga about the fortunes of a retail empire.
When she died in 2024, aged 91, she left behind a body of work spanning 40 novels.
Her work, adapted for the screen in productions starring Elizabeth Hurley and Sir Anthony Hopkins, propelled her into a glamorous and wealthy figure not unlike her protagonist Emma Harte.
An oil on canvas portrait of her dog Gemmi, by American painter Christine Merrill, is expected to fetch $1,500 (£1,133) when it goes under the hammer at the Doyle New York auction house next month.
Another of her pet dogs, Beaji and Chammi, is set to fetch the same amount.
Her final gift from Robert Bradford, her film producer husband, was also revealed as part of the sale.
To mark the publication of one of her later works, The Cavendon Women in 2015, her husband commissioned a piece of Verdura jewellery.
The £7,000 brooch, in the shape of a swan, representing both his wife's coat of arms and the Swann family in her stories, was the last piece he had personally commissioned before his death in 2019.
Speaking of her husband before his death, Bradford said: 'Bob was the love of my life and was the most generous and thoughtful person I've ever met. He was debonair, had a fabulous eye, and appreciated beautiful objects and exceptional craftsmanship.
'During our wonderful marriage, he simply could not resist buying me fine jewellery. And I was given a lot as we were married for a long time. Every birthday, wedding anniversary, Christmas, new book publication, and even while on holiday, Bob would often surprise me with a fabulous piece.'
The couple met on a blind date in 1961 after being introduced by Jack Davies, an English screenwriter. They married in 1963 before moving permanently to the US.
The piece is now going up for auction through Doyle, alongside a number of pieces from the Bradford estate, including her writing desk, her typewriter, writing pens and first editions.
Peter Costanzo, the executive director of books, autographs and photographs at Doyle, said: 'This collection reflects a life of elegance, intellect, and artistry, offering a glimpse into the world of one of the most successful writers of our time.'
Randy Jones of The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust said that the pieces up for sale reflect a life 'defined by elegance, ambition, and an unyielding dedication to storytelling' as well as 'impeccable taste'.