17th C. European Forged Iron Spiked Dog Collar

Western / Central Europe, probably Germany or Bavaria, ca. 17th to 18th century CE. A forged-iron dog collar of an intimidating form with a pair of semicircular bands linked via a hinge on the verso. The front of the collar has a pair of perforated tabs meant to hold a pin or lock that signified the owner of the canine, and six sets of four-pronged barbs project out from the exterior. Dog collars like this are oft mistaken for inhumane torture devices, however the lack of barbs around the interior periphery dispels that notion. The barbs on this collar provided protection for the dogs from larger, more aggressive dogs or hunted prey like wolves, boars, and bears. Size: 10" L x 10.75" W (25.4 cm x 27.3 cm); 14.75" W (37.5 cm) when fully opened.

Provenance: ex-estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; ex-Andrew Garcia collection, Coral Gables, Florida, USA

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#157985
Condition Report: Slight bending to overall form of some barbs, with minor pitting across some surfaces, otherwise intact and excellent. Great patina throughout. Hinged components still articulate smoothly.