File:Medieval, Dog Leash (FindID 558319-475864).jpg

English: An incomplete cast copper alloy zoomorphic swivel strap fitting / leash of high medieval date (1050-1400). The fitting is incomplete being broken into three parts - one of which is lost. The two extant pieces conjoin and are of very high quality both in terms of craftsmanship and design. The fitting comprises of a single loop / swivel that joins to a horizontal bar formed from five hinged elements, of which the two end parts terminate in rectangular buckles. This arrangement allows for a very flexible / sinuous fitting which is highly mobile and can contort in many directions. The following description will look at each part separately.

The swivel loop:

This decorated loop is D shaped (slightly kidney shaped) in plan and irregular in cross section. It is cast in one piece. The two edges of the loop expand toward the swivel junction. Here they form two (one either side) decorative zoomorphic terminals. Each terminal is similar to the other and consists of a much debased animal, probably a dog or dragon, with its jaws open grasping a central junction. The animals head are much debased and there is little detail present to denote features such as ears and eyes. The central junction - to which the loop is attached is cast integrally with the loop - it consists of a single cylindrical bar that terminates at one end in a flat edge, whilst the other end extends in a D shaped projection which is pierced by a single hole. This cylindrical pin has three regular circumferential bands cast into it - to which the external loop has been applied - this has three corresponding loops that fit very snuggly allowing the upper ring / loop to swivel easily. Quite how this casting has been achieved and the accuracy at which it has been done shows how well crafted the piece is.

The loop measures: 34.3mm width, 35.7mm high, is 4.1mm thick across the upper loop and 8.7mm across the lower junction. The ring itself is 3.2mm thick and has an internal dimension of 27.8mm x 15.3mm.

The central pin measures: 23.6mm length, 8.6mm diameter.

The hinged bar:

The D shaped projection of the cylindrical pin fits to the central element of the hinged bar. This element is broadly rectangular in plan and irregular in profile. The long edges of the external element are ribbed whilst the short edges have three D shaped pierced projections forming a hinge to the left and the right. At the mid point on the upper edge two centrally positioned D shaped pierced projections extend forming a second pivot / hinge to which the cylindrical element holding the loop fits. This hinge allows 180° of lateral movement. The hinge is pinned with a copper alloy axis bar. This part measure 19.7mm length, 12.4mm wide and is 6.1mm thick, the central element projects 7.6mm.

Two either side of this element are two similar hinged spacers - each is similar to the other, although the left hand example is broken across the mid-point. This spacer pierce is again sub-rectangular in plan and rectangular in cross section - it has a two part hinge projecting toward the central element and a three lobed hinge extending toward the terminal end / buckle part. A single cast circular whole is positioned at the mid-point (internal diameter 6.1mm). The purpose of this hole seems decorative, although it might also lighten the whole fitting; it is however a structural weak point - as the break on the left hand arm illustrates. Again the hinged parts are held with copper alloy pins / axis bars. The cylindrical hinge is much thicker and robust that its counterparts with the junction of the central element. This part measures 22.8mm length, 12.2mm width and is 5.5mm thick.

To either end of the horizontal bar buckle shaped terminals extend - these are again attached to the bar with similar hinges described above. The buckle on the right hand edge is lost. The example on the left consists of a tapered bar that extends from the hinge and that expands at the mid point to form an angular rectangular shaped frame. This frame is reactively robust. The buckle pin, is held within a rectangular slot, cut into the shank / bar. It is probably also hinged - although it is difficult to see at which point it pivots. The pin rests on a U shaped groove on the opposite edge, the groove is flanked by two rectangular decorative ridges. The buckle element measures 34.0mm length, 29.1mm width across the frame and 8.4mm across the shank / bar, it is 6.9mm thick across the frame and 5.8mm thick across the bar.

The swivel / leash is a mid green colour with a polished patina which covers all surfaces. There is no evidence of either abrasion or corrosion. The two breaks present are both relatively fresh and unpatinated - they probably result in the artefact being removed from an archaeological deposit during deep ploughing - therefore the third element is likely to be present near to the findspot. The finders have very carefully removed any surface corrosion and soil from the object and then soaked it in oil. This has freed all of the hinged elements and it now flexes as originally intended. Overall the leash weighs 41.28 grams

A number of similar swivel strap distributors have been recorded by the PAS. They are dated broadly to the medieval period and it has been noted that the style of the terminals are very similar to Romanesque designs (1050-1250). It has, however, been suggested that as a style this form of strap swivel may continue to a later medieval date (Geake; PAS Finds Recording Guide page 71). A number of these swivels are thought to be associated with dog leashes. One direct comparison of an incomplete dog leash is recorded from Winchester (Rees et al. 2008), with an almost identical swivel loop. The Winchester example has been suggested to date to the second half of the 13th century (Rees ert al. 2008:232), and due to the similarity in design, the same date is offered for this example. Dog leashes are objects of very high quality and probably reflect the wealth of the owner. It is obvious that this object was designed for maximum movement in several directions, and the thickness of the metal used to construct the separate elements suggests that strength and also weight was important too.

A number of similar swivel strap distributors have been recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme. They are dated broadly to the medieval period and it has been noted that the style of the terminals are very similar to Romanesque designs (1050-1250). It has, however, been suggested that as a style this form of strap swivel may continue to a later medieval date (Geake; PAS Finds Recording Guide page 71). A good parallel for the style of the dog / dragon loop can be seen on a less complex swivel from the Telford Area, Shropshire (Reavill: 2006). A number of these complex hinged swivels are thought to be associated with dog leashes. One direct comparison of an incomplete dog leash is recorded from Winchester (Rees et al 2008), with an almost identical swivel loop setting. The Winchester example has been suggested to date to the second half of the 13th century (ibid 232), and due to the similarity in design, the same date is offered for this example. Dog leashes are objects of very high quality and probably reflect the wealth of the owner. It is obvious that this object was designed for maximum movement in many directions, and the thickness of the metal used to construct the separate elements suggests that strength and also weight was important too. A similar example can also be seen on the PAS database from Radley, Oxfordshire (Byard: 2011) although the four-holed pierced opening suggests a 14th century date. A further example has been provided by Dr. John Cherry from the British Museums Collection (accession number 1954.1208.1) from Cirencester, Gloucestershire (Zarnecki et al 1984: 250 no 248). That example is suggested to be a dog leash and due to the style of the Romanesque dragons is dated to the mid-12th century.

References:

Byard, A (2011) BERK-703D40 A MEDIEVAL LEASH from Radley, Oxfordshire PAS Webpage available at: <a href="http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/452767">http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/452767</a>

Reavill, P (2006) HESH-BACB38 A MEDIEVAL STRAP FITTING from the Telford Area, Shropshire. PAS Webpage available at: <a href="http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/137150">http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/137150</a>

Rees, H. Crummy, N. Ottaway, P. and Dunn G. 2008: Artefacts and Society in Roman and Medieval Winchester: Small finds from the suburbs and defences, 1971-1986 Winchester Museums Service: Winchester

Zarnecki G. Holt, J. and Holland, T. (eds)1984: English Romanesque Art 1066-1200 Hayward Gallery /Arts Council of Great Britain: London