Exhibited Colima Redware Pottery Dog

Pre-Columbian, Western Mexico, Colima, Protoclassic period, ca. 100 BCE to 250 CE. An exemplary pottery dog, enveloped in a vibrant, red slip with a high burnish! First off, its scale is impressive - quite sizeable and corpulent with a very full - possibly pregnant - belly! Also, there is its lively pose - standing on all fours with upraised ears and a perky, curled tail - as well as its expressive visage with wide-open incised eyes, flaring nostrils on its pointy snout, and an open, toothy muzzle. While to our eyes his barking may signify that he is ready to play, the ancient Colima sculptor more likely intended to depict a very loyal puppy - serving as a watchdog and barking to protect the deceased in the afterlife. A very special canine, quite alert with perky ears and wagging tail! Size: 15.7" L x 9.3" W x 11.7" H (39.9 cm x 23.6 cm x 29.7 cm)

Scholars know of at least two types of Colima dogs, one to be fattened up and ritually sacrificed or eaten and one to serve as a watchdog and healer of the ill. This plump hairless canine known as a Chichi or Escuintla is thought to be related to the Chihuahua or Mexican Hairless also known as the Xoloitzcuintle. The Xolo dog was named for the deity Xolotl, the God of the Underworld, and believed to guide the deceased as they journeyed to the afterlife. Colima vessels such as this one were buried in shaft tombs to protect the deceased and provide sustenance for eternity.

This piece was exhibited at the Fresno Art Center (now the Fresno Art Museum) from December 9th to 29th in 1982 as part of "Homage to the Sacred: Pre-Columbian Clay Sculpture from Fresno Collections." It was also published in the exhibits catalogue as plate 43 (Fresno Arts Center, and California State University, Fresno, "Homage to the sacred: pre-Columbian clay sculpture from Fresno collections," Fresno: Fresno Arts Center, 1982, p. 50).

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: ex-William and Jane Frazer, Aspen, Colorado, USA, acquired 1980s

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#166636
Condition Report: Repaired from several pieces with restoration over some break lines, while other break lines are visible. A few light abrasions in some small areas. Otherwise, excellent with nice remaining pigments and lovely manganese deposits throughout.