Description:

Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. An endearing pottery vessel in the form of an adorable dog lying on its side next to a bowl of hemispherical form. Enveloped in black slip, the charming canine curls its body for 1 front and 1 hind paw to rest on the rim of the bowl as its long neck stretches upward displaying a narrow snout, delineated nostrils, ovoid eyes, and an incised mouth, all capped by a pair of perky, pointed ears. Size: 3.8" W x 3.1" H (9.7 cm x 7.9 cm)

Scholars know of at least two types of Colima dogs, one to be fattened up and ritually sacrificed 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.

Provenance: private Hidden Valley Lake, California, USA collection; ex-Leonard Auction, Inc., Addison, Illinois, USA, January 24th, 2021, Online January Auction (Sale #273), part of lot 123 (1 of 5)

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#170801

  • Condition: Repaired with restoration, repainting, and reburnishing. Expected nicks, scratches, and abrasions throughout, commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice with good encrustations on interior.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

April 21, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000