dog badge

www.rijksmuseum.nl (PD)

Here's what amounts to a landscape in one piece of jewelry:  this silver badge at the Rijksmuseum, created circa 1784-87, shows a wolfy-looking keeshond in his front yard.  There's his house, his dish, his shady tree.  There's also a chain - but not on him!  Why does the chain lie upon the ground?  Is he free to go?  Was this a reward to someone faithful, or a statement of pride?  Here's the object's page at the Rijksmuseum.