Vessel spout in the form of a dog's head
Late medieval, 15th century AD
Found with a metal detector at Wickham, Hampshire
A cast copper-alloy spout in the form of a dog's head. When in use the water or wine would have poured out of the dog's mouth. Vessel spouts of this form are not uncommon, perhaps appealing to medieval dog-lovers. A number are shown attached to metal vessels in illustrations from the period. Others may have been used as pourers for leather bottles.
This spout is unusual as it appears to have been mis-cast when it was made. This has resulted in the metal being very thick on one side and entirely missing on the other leaving a large opening along the length of the spout terminating at the animal's cheek. Perhaps this explains why it was discarded, although one might have expected the metal to be recycled.
Portable Antiquities Scheme find number HAMP-7EA363.