A Collection Within the Collection: Walking the Dog

Nearly one-fifth of The Dog Jewelry Museum's collection is the sub-genre of "Walking the Dog" jewelry. Walking the Dog pieces are a somewhat loose category that includes chatelaine or swag (two pins connected by a chain) pins, jewelry featuring people with dogs, and even bicycling with a dog pieces.

Pieces in this collection range from circa 1930 to the present. I include both chatelaine (pins connected to each other by chains, also sometimes called swag) and those that have the walker and walkee in one piece.

One caution for those considering collecting walking the dog pieces, I have seen several chatelaine sets that are marriages...that is, the two pins are connected by chains, but they do not really belong together. Clues to look for...make sure the backs of each pin match. While it might be possible to match finishes on the front, the back can be a dead giveaway. Also see if the pin mechanisms are the same (this is not always the case in authentic pieces, but most do have the same type of pin.) I am especially suspicious of charms attached to people pins. Example: there is a piece that shows up on Ebay now and again of a ballerina with a Scottie dog charm dangling from a chain. While I do think the ballerina at one time was connected to something (she has an integrated loop in her hand), does it make any sense at all for her to be connected to a dog? Not to me!

Another tip, most of the time chatelaine pins have integral loops where the chain is connected on each pin. I have seen some possible marriages where the chain has been hooked with the pin stem. This may be original, I suppose, or it may be because the loop has broken off the piece (or was never there to begin with). Compare the style of the two pieces, the backs, the pin mechanisms, and the theme... and then inspect closely for damage!
Just as some folks walk their dogs off leash, there are some walking the dog pins that are sets and are not connected physically. Above is a great example of a spaceman walking his two dogs off leash!

Want to see more fun walking the dog pins? Check out the category at The Dog Jewelry Museum. (Note to dealers: I am always looking for unique walking the dog pieces. If you have one I don't have, please get in touch.