Lot 12A
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. This engaging Colima pottery vessel takes the form of a stout, wide-bodied male dog, its rounded torso swelling into a smooth burnished chamber capped by a short flaring spout. The sculptor rendered the canine with firmly planted legs, a lifted tail, and a forward-leaning stance that gives the figure an animated, almost purposeful presence. Relief genitalia clearly denote the animal's sex, a detail that often underscores themes of vitality, fertility, and abundance in West Mexican ceramic tradition. The head is modeled with perked ears, coffee bean-shaped eyes, and an open mouth, producing the bright, alert expression characteristic of Colima canine effigies. The surface carries a warm range of mottled browns and charcoal patches from mineral-rich clays and ancient firing conditions, giving the vessel a lively, organic texture. Size: 11.3" L x 8.7" W x 6.4" H (28.7 cm x 22.1 cm x 16.3 cm)
Subtle sculptural markings along the limbs and muzzle lend further definition, while the vessel's rotund body echoes long-standing associations between Colima dogs and ideas of nourishment, protection, and well-being.
Dog effigy vessels were placed in shaft tombs across West Mexico as companions and guardians, believed to guide the deceased on their journey and provide symbolic sustenance. This example fits firmly within that tradition, merging sculptural charm with practical vessel design. Its compact proportions, expressive modeling, and clearly rendered anatomy reflect the distinctive blend of humor, observation, and reverence that defines Colima ceramic artistry. The result is a spirited male effigy vessel whose rounded silhouette and lively canine features continue to radiate warmth, character, and cultural significance.
Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; ex-private Los Angeles, California, USA collection; ex-major gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, primarily acquired between 1985 and 2005
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#199675
- Condition: Chipping to proper right ear, as well as nicks and abrasions throughout, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice root marks and rich earthen deposits to interior.
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