Dressing up dogs in fancy 'things'
Archaeologists found two large dogs buried with bejewelled collars in the tomb of King Cuo of Zhongshan, who was the King of China between 327 to 309 BC. Whereas the King of France, Louis XI, between 1423 to 1487 had a greyhound type dog, who wore a red velvet collar with 20 pearls and 11 rubies. Louis XI’s successor, Charles VIII, had robes made for his dog!
The dog collars belonging to Henry VIII of England included: two greyhound collars of bright red velvet with gold cloth and locking spikes. Another collar was covered in a silver shell and silver spikes. A different collar had white velvet embroidered with pearls and small bars of silver. Two other collars had the King’s arms and Tudor roses. While another dog collar, worn by Queen Catherin of Aragon’s dogs, displayed embroidered pomegranates and silver castle turrets.
But such highly decorative and jewelled dog collars were associated with royalty but not practical in terms of weight for the dogs wearing them. They were probably used for special occasions and shown on display. These ‘fancy’ dog collars were clear indication of wealth and status, while everyday non-royal people had dog collars made up simpler materials.
Show us on Twitter/Facebook what you are dressed up for Halloween 2022 as and even your pets too!
31.10.2022
