Object number
51/384
Collection
Description
A housen is a piece of decoration attached to the top of a horse's collar. This is an eighteenth century wooden housen carved with traditional figures, possibly dragons, and painted. The donor acquired it from a farm in Knowl Hill, Berkshire, where it had been used as an ornament in the house.
Physical description
1 housen: wood
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'Housen are a decoration attached to the top of a horse’s collar. Their origin is obscure, but they may have developed from the guard attached to the front of the saddle to protect the groins of a knight in armour. In the 19th century, housen were usually made of leather, often fringed with red and yellow worsted and decorated with brass mountings. They are also known as HOUSINGS or HOUNCES. The etymological origin is obscure, but it may be derived from O.Fr. huche. // This is a wooden housen of the 18th century. It is painted, with traditional figures (possibly dragons) carved on it. Mr. Goodey bought them from Micklem’s [spelled Micklern in previous records] Farm at Knowle [sic] Hill (Berkshire), where they had been ornamenting a corner cupboard. // It measures 34” over the crown and 20” across the bottom.'
Production date
1700-01-01 - 1799-12-31
Production period
Eighteenth century
Object name
Material
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\35 series negatives\Scans\35_277.tif - High resolution image
