From: The Virtual Museum
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
