Lot 48

Colima Stone Janus-Headed Dog Mace Head

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Lot 48
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Colima Stone Janus-Headed Dog Mace Head
Colima Stone Janus-Headed Dog Mace Head
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Colima Stone Janus-Headed Dog Mace Head

Estimate: $800 - $1,200

Starting Bid: $400

(0 Bids)
June 11, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
Louisville, CO, US
Description:

Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima., ca. 300 BCE - 300 CE. Skillfully carved from a single piece of stone, a marvelous janus canine-headed mace. Each puppy's visage presents bulging eyes, a protruding snout, and short ears delineated in low to high relief. Most of us are familiar with the popular Colima pottery dog vessels, but canine stone maces, especially examples with janus dog heads, are a more unusual find. Due to the wrinkled faces, my guess is these represents the Mexican hairless Xoloitzcuintli. A mace head like this was almost certainly created for ceremonial use rather than as a real weapon, likely buried with its owner or a prominent warrior to honor and accompany him in the next world. Size: 3.5" W x 2.5" H x 1.875" D (8.9 cm W x 6.3 cm H x 4.8 cm D)

Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; ex collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, 2025; ex-Barakat Gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, acquired between 1985 and 2003

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Item # 202543

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $749 $25
$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 + $1,000