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O&P Wiki : Collar: history
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This is the version from 4 Feb 07, 5:12 PM. The full history of this article will show any more recent versions.
Collar
The traditional collar is a neck band, normally in leather, metal
or rubber. Collars can vary widely - from the decorative to the purely
function and although often removable, some are a permanent fixture. It
is normally chosen, designed or even crafted by the dominant partner.
In BDSM the wearing of a collar generally signifies that the wearer is a
submissive. Many submissives and slaves wear a collar to denote their
status and commitment. It can be used to represent the relationship in
much the same way a wedding band does, especially if the submissive is
owned. Some subs wear a "symbolic collar", often a bracelet or ankle
chain, which is more subdued than the traditional collar and can pass in
vanilla situations. It is not uncommon for a sub to have several collars
for special occasions.
Gay leathermen traditionally use a padlocked chain to collar their slaves. A tradition
developed in some leather bars in the 1980s of wearing a collar with an open padlock to
indicate that one was seeking a partner, and a closed padlock to indicate that
one was in a relationship. This symbolism became less common in the 1990s as even in gay
leather bars, many men began wearing collars for reasons of fashion rather than to indicate a
relationship (or desire for a relationship). Also, many older leathermen were quite offended
when younger men began flagging with unlocked collars. Traditionally, the top owned the
collar and locked it on his slave. Slaves or potential slaves did not collar themselves.
It is important to remember that the punk rock and goth scenes have also
adopted collars as a purely fashion item, so one cannot assume that all
people wearing collars are into D/s or BDSM.
Collars are also used in bondage, although care must be taken as there
is always the risk that the submissive might develop breathing problems
and therefore should not be left alone whilst bound. Most collars have
D-ring attachments so the neck can be either bound to another part of
the body or to a fixed object. A collar can also incorporate additional
straps and buckles to form a head harness. The effectiveness of using a
collar in a bondage scene should not be underestimated, as well as being
very effective in holding the submissive immobile it also reinforces the
victims sense of helplessness and loss of control.
Collars are often used in role-playing games involving humiliation
because they have connotations of control and pet-like or animalistic
status, especially when worn with a leash. They may also be useful
during play as a physical tethering restraint.History
Collars were used as part of metal restraints in ancient times. (For
example, the well-preserved iron coffle or "chain
for six slaves" on display in the
Manchester Museum
from the 1st century BC.) However, iron collars were also used by the
Romans to identify slaves and even give instructions for their return:
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I am Asellus, a slave of Praeiectus an official of the prefect of the
grain harvest. I have gone outdoors, beyond the walls. Hold me fast,
because I have run away. Return me to the barber's shop near the temple
of Flora. (CIL 15.7172)
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Collars were also used in the 18th century to identify slaves in Britain
(even though the legality of slavery on English soil, at least, was
hotly disputed during this period), and to some extent in American
plantation slavery.
It is likely that these historical precedents led to the association of
slavery with collars in subcultures like Old Guard leather and in BDSM
fiction, such as the Story of O and the Gor series.See also
(This article incorporates text from the
Collar
article in Wikipedia,
and the
Collars
article in Wipipedia.)
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