Colima
West Mexico
100 BC–250 AD
Ceramic
Height 8 1/2"; Length 16"
Provenance: Private Southern California collection
This Colima redware dog stands on four legs with head raised and mouth open to show incised teeth, a single horn rising from between the ears, and a lateral spout projecting from the back at an angle. The large upright ears, elongated body, and short sturdy legs give the figure a horizontal emphasis, and the red-brown burnished surface is marked by dark fire clouding distributed across the flanks and back. The incised teeth and horn distinguish this example from more straightforward Colima dog representations.
The Colima dog is among the most significant subjects in West Mexican pre-Columbian ceramic production, associated with the hairless Xoloitzcuintli breed and its role as a guide for the dead in ancient Mesoamerican belief. The horn element, which appears on a recognized variant within the Colima dog tradition, has been interpreted as a marker of supernatural status. The piece comes from a private Southern California collection.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Colima
West Mexico
100 BC–250 AD
Ceramic
Height 8 1/2"; Length 16"
Provenance: Private Southern California collection
This Colima redware dog stands on four legs with head raised and mouth open to show incised teeth, a single horn rising from between the ears, and a lateral spout projecting from the back at an angle. The large upright ears, elongated body, and short sturdy legs give the figure a horizontal emphasis, and the red-brown burnished surface is marked by dark fire clouding distributed across the flanks and back. The incised teeth and horn distinguish this example from more straightforward Colima dog representations.
The Colima dog is among the most significant subjects in West Mexican pre-Columbian ceramic production, associated with the hairless Xoloitzcuintli breed and its role as a guide for the dead in ancient Mesoamerican belief. The horn element, which appears on a recognized variant within the Colima dog tradition, has been interpreted as a marker of supernatural status. The piece comes from a private Southern California collection.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
