This remarkable statuette, representing Prince Albert’s beloved greyhound, Eos, was commissioned by Queen Victoria from Garrard in early 1840. She presented it to Albert on his twenty first birthday, August 26th, 1840. The couple had been married only six months, and this was the first birthday she shared with him. Albert was utterly devoted to Eos; he had written ahead from Germany to “introduce” her to the Queen, noting that “Eos is particularly friendly when there is plumcake in the room.” Accordingly the Queen hired Garrard, who in turn hired a sculptor named Edmund Cotterill, to produce this perfectly faithful rendering.



It was a success. Victoria mentions it in her private diary on August 26, 1840: "These I give him (from myself), a fine opal set with diamonds, a silver figure of Eos, a Field Marshal's Baton… with all of which he was much pleased". A good thing too, as the Queen had already hired the artist Sir Edwin Landseer to begin work on a portrait of Eos, now in the Royal Collection, which she would give Albert for Christmas.


The commission is recorded in the Garrard Royal ledgers on July 27, 1840:

A model of a greyhound in silver on a black stand – 40 oz - £42 5s. With case (morocco leather with 2 gold buttons, lined in silk velvet) - £4

Cash paid to Mr. Cotterill for making model of greyhound £10


This being a very important commission for Garrard, Cotterill took special care with it: the delicacy and exactitude of the modelling is superb. Garrard took pride in the piece, stamping it with both the sculptor's name and the date. No doubt the success of this commission helped Garrard become the Royal Goldsmith in 1843.



Eos was one of the most beloved dogs in the history of the Royal family. In addition to several portrayals by Landseer, her figure was incorporated into other silver pieces by Garrard, including an inkstand of 1842 and a massive table centerpiece of 1843, which was designed by Albert and featured not only Eos but three of Victoria’s favorite dogs.