Canine

Dog Collar

Dog collar

Dog collar made from copper alloy.

Dog collar

Dog collar

Dog collar made from copper alloy.

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This dog collar, an open-work band of copper alloy, is a very rare find from the city excavations. Backed by leather or velvet - attached to the metal through six small holes - it was an elaborate collar probably for a greyhound, the most popular dog in the hunting field.

The collar of that breed had the same value as a horse-saddle in early Welsh law. The dogs depicted on the Bayeux tapestry wear elaborate collars. This may be a pre-Norman import, attesting to the wealth and sophistication of Waterford.

date/period:12th century/Anglo-Norman

inventory no.:1999.0498

collection:Waterford City Council

location:Waterford Museum of Treasures exhibition

dimensions:122 diameter mm

provenance:Found in excavations of Waterford city centre 1986-1992

material:copper alloy

further reading:Late Viking Age & Medieval Waterford Excavations 1986-1992. ISBN 1 872002 98 6