File:Medieval zoomorphic unidentified object (FindID 264362).jpg

English: A copper alloy fragment of a larger object, probably medieval in date. The fragment is a zoomorphic terminal in the form of a dog’s head. The head has a rounded upturned nose, hollows for eyes and a flat head with ears sticking out to the side.. The head is D shaped in section and tapers to a rectangular sectioned curved bar which is broken. The style of the zoomorphic head suggests a medieval date, probably 1200 – 1600. It has a dark green patina. It is 18.2mm long, 10mm wide, and 5.5mm thick. It weighs 1.98gm.

Unfortunately, too little remains of this object to be certain of its identification. It was at first thought to be part of a finger ring, because of the shape of the curve, but there does not seem to be any break at the head end. It could alternatively be a hook from a strap end similar to SUSS-1A9DE4, but the curved bar does not seem to be robust enough. Similar dogs heads are found on medieval swivel fittings such as SUR-ACE5A2, but again, the lack of damage at the head end makes this seem unlikely. Another possible parallel is LIN-A21001 which is a vessel fragment, but again, it seems to be more robust than this example.

Dog’s heads are also found on some roman objects such as finger rings and bracelets, but the style does not appear to be Roman in date. Since no close parallel has been found, this small fragment will have to remain unidentified, but probably medieval in date.