DOG-TOOTH, in architecture, a band decoration of adjoin ing, projecting triangles, called, from its saw-tooth shape, in French, dent de scie. Early examples of this decoration are found in Syria and in the Mesopotamian valley, e.g., in the palace front at Rabbath-Ammon (built either in the last years of the Sassan ian dynasty or in the early part of the Mohammedan rule), where it is used on arch mouldings ; and in a highly decorative form, in the palace of Machitta of the eighth century. It is found widely during the Romanesque period throughout Europe, and is particu larly common in Norman work in France and England, appearing as the chevron (q.v.) and zigzag. In many cases it appears in arch mouldings as a series of projecting pyramids, the sides deco rated with foliage. To its supposed resemblance, in this form, to a dog's tooth violet, some people incorrectly attribute the origin of its name. (See BYZANTINE AND ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE.)