Lot 173A
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. Finely burnished with a red finish applied in a stripe over the snout and brow of the head! Although standing, the pose is somewhat dynamic with the head twisted back and snarling, as if a swift response to someone sneaking up from behind. Also notable is the belly- this dog would be waddling around on those stubby legs to emphasize a pregnant or fattened state. A masterfully rendered vessel in the form of a watchdog to protect the deceased in the afterlife, hold offerings, and to symbolize abundance since dogs were not only treasured for their loyalty, but for nourishment. Dogs were an easy meal when hunting failed, their domestication and large litters made them a readily available as food sources and sacrificial offerings. Size: 12" L x 6.5" W x 8.5" H (30.5 cm x 16.5 cm x 21.6 cm)
There were several breeds of Colima dogs- one was the short legged tlalchichi, now extinct, that is thought to be related to the Chihuahua or Mexican Hairless also known as the Xoloitzcuintle. Domesticated dogs served as hunting companions and protection, but more importantly they were effortless sources of meat that could be fattened up on maize or household scraps. The Xoloitzcuintle dog was named after the Aztec deity Xolotl, the god of the Underworld, and believed to guide the deceased as they journeyed to the afterlife. Colima vessels such as this were buried in shaft tombs to protect the deceased and provide a companion for the transition to the underworld and perhaps sustenance if the offerings necessary.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Marianne and Robert Huber collection, Dixon, Illinois and New York City, New York, USA, acquired in the 1970s
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#175453
- Condition: Repaired, right front foot reattached with hairline break across surface, otherwise excellent. Scattered manganese deposits on surface.
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