A new exhibition celebrating man's best friend through the ages has launched at Lynn Museum, featuring a diverse array of fascinating canine treasures.

Highlights of ‘Woof’ range from Iceni and Roman relics to works by iconic modern artists such as Andy Warhol and David Hockney – alongside a coat an owner made from his pet pooch's discarded hair.

The show is a passion project for curator Dayna Woolbright, who gathered the exhibits together after sourcing them from Norfolk museums, Tate, the Kennel Club, the East Anglia Art Fund and private collections. 

A Third Century gold Roman finger ring showing Greek hunter Meleager, carrying two spears with his dogA Third Century gold Roman finger ring showing Greek hunter Meleager with his dog (Image: Chris Bishop)

Probably the first animal to be domesticated, dogs have been our constant companions for many millennia building an extraordinary bond with humans. It’s not surprising, therefore, that they appear as on objects and in artworks dating back thousands of years.

‘Woof’ includes some very unusual items, not least a 1930s overcoat made from the hair of a St Bernard’s dog, Judy, collected during daily grooming sessions by a Mr Misselbrook of Norwich.

Mr Misselbrook from Norwich, with his dog Judy and the coat he had made from fabric spun from her fur in the 1930sMr Misselbrook from Norwich, with his dog Judy and the coat he made from fabric spun from her fur in the 1930s (Image: Norfolk Museums Service) Mr Misselbrook's coat on show at Lynn MuseumMr Misselbrook's coat on show at Lynn Museum (Image: Chris Bishop) Some of the works on show at Lynn MuseumSome of the works on show at Lynn Museum (Image: Chris Bishop)

Some of the earliest artefacts in the exhibition include a Roman coin featuring the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, suckling a wolf. Visitors can also see shards of dog-decorated samian ware and Roman brooches shaped like hounds.

A canine-inspired finger ring, buckle, retainer’s badge and dish handle are also on display.

Wolves were the ancestors of the domestic dogWolves were the ancestors of the domestic dog (Image: Chris Bishop) An undated sketch of a dog by 19th Century Lynn artist Henry BainesAn undated sketch of a dog by 19th Century Lynn artist Henry Baines (Image: Chris Bishop)

In more recent times, artists have continued to be drawn to dogs as a subject for their work. Some have celebrated their own dogs or those of friends; such as David Hockney’s dachshunds in the digital work 40 Snaps of My House, August 1990, or Andy Warhol’s painting of Lady Jane Adeane’s King Charles spaniel, Pom.

The exhibition runs until June 29, 2025, and admission to the museum is free throughout the winter until March.