Lot 49
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 200 BCE to 300 CE. A compact and quietly expressive Colima pottery dog stands with alert poise, its rounded body and distinctive facial modeling giving it a personality that feels both intimate and unmistakably alive. Formed in redware ceramic, the figure is modeled in the classic Colima style, with a smooth, burnished surface and simplified yet deliberate anatomy. The body is supported by four sturdy legs, each subtly flared to create a stable stance. The torso swells gently at the haunches and shoulders, emphasizing volume and weight rather than movement, a hallmark of Colima animal sculpture. The face is particularly distinctive. The muzzle is elongated and softly tapered, with a slight curve at the mouth that suggests a calm, almost knowing expression. Almond-shaped eyes are rendered as closed or lightly incised slits, lending the figure a serene, inward-looking character. Small, upright ears crown the head, framing the face and enhancing its individuality. Size: 9.1" L x 6" W x 6" H (23.1 cm x 15.2 cm x 15.2 cm)
This careful attention to facial expression sets the figure apart, transforming it from a generic animal form into a specific presence. The sculptor has clearly delineated the genitalia, identifying the figure as female. Such explicit anatomical detail is characteristic of Colima ceramics and reflects a broader cultural emphasis on fertility, life cycles, and the generative forces of the natural world. Dogs held deep symbolic significance in West Mexican belief systems, often associated with companionship in life and guidance in the journey to the afterlife. Their frequent appearance in burial contexts suggests roles as protectors, guides, or valued members of the household.
Surface wear and mineral accretions are consistent with age and burial, reinforcing the figure's archaeological authenticity. The restrained modeling, combined with its expressive face and carefully indicated gender, exemplifies the Colima aesthetic, where abstraction, symbolism, and emotional presence converge. This female dog figure stands as a compelling example of Pre-Columbian Colima artistry, capturing the cultural importance of animals not as decoration, but as beings embedded in daily life, ritual practice, and the passage between worlds.
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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#200348
- Condition: Professionally repaired with restoration and repainting over break lines, though some are still partially visible in areas. Expected surface wear with some nicks and abrasions as shown, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, nice presentation with scattered earthen deposits.
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