Lot 19A
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Ameca - Jalisco, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A compact sense of weight and warmth defines this pottery dog, modeled with the rounded body and sturdy limbs characteristic of the region's celebrated animal effigies. The figure stands on four solid legs, its back arched into a gentle rise that leads to a short curled tail. The head tilts slightly forward, giving the animal a calm, almost contemplative expression. The potter shaped the dog from fine, burnished terracotta, its surface preserved in soft tan and gray tones with natural mineral inclusions. Subtle details lend the figure its personality: the small pointed ears, the rounded muzzle, and the incised toes that give each foot definition. A raised ridge runs along the spine, adding structure to the smooth, full body. Dogs appear widely in the shaft tombs of West Mexico, most especially Colima and in more unusual cases Jalisco and are closely associated with themes of companionship, protection, and ritual nourishment. Size: 7.5" L x 5.6" W x 5.3" H (19 cm x 14.2 cm x 13.5 cm)
Ancient belief held that dogs guided souls in the afterlife, and ceramic dog effigies may have served as metaphoric helpers for the deceased. Their rotund forms, often interpreted as signs of health or ritual fattening, reflect the cultural value placed on these animals. This example displays the essential features of the type: a grounded stance, expressive modeling, and a balanced form that reads clearly from every angle. It stands as a strong representation of Jalisco ceramic artistry, embodying both sculptural simplicity and enduring symbolic meaning.
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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#199659
- Condition: Some light weathering to surface with nicks and abrasions in areas, but, otherwise, intact and excellent with scattered manganese deposits and nice root marks.
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