Jalisco Sculpture of a Dark Gray Dog - PF.0518,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high x 6.125" (15.6cm) wide,Catalogue: V2,Collection:  More »

Jalisco Sculpture of a Dark Gray Dog - PF.0518,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high x 6.125" (15.6cm) wide,Catalogue: V2,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Jalisco,Medium: Terracotta. Said to have been found in the same spot as PF.0519, this fat little dog and its mate clearly come from the same artistic litter. They were meant to accompany the deceased through the underworld and though they would have made pleasant companions, they hardly seem ferocious enough to have been watchdogs.   « Less

Jalisco Sculpture of a Dark Gray Dog - PF.0519,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high x 5.875" (14.9cm) wide,Catalogue: V2,Collection:  More »

Jalisco Sculpture of a Dark Gray Dog - PF.0519,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high x 5.875" (14.9cm) wide,Catalogue: V2,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Jalisco,Medium: Terracotta. Said to have been found in the same spot as PF.0518, this fat little dog and its mate clearly come from the same artistic litter. They were meant to accompany the deceased through the underworld and though they would have made pleasant companions, they hardly seem ferocious enough to have been watchdogs.   « Less

Jalisco Double-Headed Dog Bowl - PF.0582,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high,Catalogue: V2,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Jalisco Double-Headed Dog Bowl - PF.0582,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high,Catalogue: V2,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Jalisco,Medium: Terracotta. The tripod support of this graceful bowl is formed by a two-headed dog who turns to face himself. Such bowls were used to hold grave gifts of food or incense. The dog's two heads are engaged in continuous conversation, as if undecided about which direction to turn in order to settle down for a nap.   « Less

Jalisco Sculpture of a Young Horned Toad - PF.0680,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Catalogue: V2,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Jalisco,Medium: Terracotta.  More »

Jalisco Sculpture of a Young Horned Toad - PF.0680,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Catalogue: V2,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Jalisco,Medium: Terracotta. With his broad, bumpy back, this horned toad seems a part of the desert terrain from which he comes. He appears venerable and ancient, old even to the culture that fashioned his image, a survivor from the era before the arrival of man when reptiles ruled the earth.   « Less

Jalisco Sculpture of a Young Horned Toad - PF.0681,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high x 4.75" (12.1cm) wide,Catalogue:  More »

Jalisco Sculpture of a Young Horned Toad - PF.0681,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high x 4.75" (12.1cm) wide,Catalogue: V2,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Jalisco,Medium: Terracotta. Eagerly stretching his legs as if running, still a bit uncertain of the wider world, this young horned toad has not yet acquired the fully bumpy back of his elders. Perhaps in the reptile world it is necessary to be quick in order to reach a bumpy maturity. The charm of this piece is that he will be forever striving for it, never quite getting there.   « Less

Jalisco Vessel in the Form of a Reclining Dog - PF.1072,Origin: Jalisco, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high x 11.75" (29.8cm) wide,Collection:  More »

Jalisco Vessel in the Form of a Reclining Dog - PF.1072,Origin: Jalisco, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high x 11.75" (29.8cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Jalisco,Medium: Terracotta. Combining abstraction with realism this vessel is both a functional object and a sculpture. The center of the V-shaped greyware body forms the opening, its wide middle narrowing to the neck and everted lip. A small head, like a Chihuahua, turns at an angle with its slightly bulging eyes staring inquisitively over a long snout. The legs are thin curved bands similar to the tail, which is striated with horizontal notches at the tip. Details such as the perky ears and protruding tongue add charming elements to this delightfully unique vessel.   « Less

Jalisco Sculpture of a Dog with a Pup - PF.1220,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 3.5" (8.9cm) wide,Collection:  More »

Jalisco Sculpture of a Dog with a Pup - PF.1220,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 3.5" (8.9cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Jalisco,Medium: Terracotta. In a comically expressionistic manner, the ancient artist has fashioned a dog with its ribs showing. This exaggerated thinness seems in direct contradiction to the usual place of such animals in the tombs of ancient Mexico, where they were meant to serve as food. This less than plump offering seems to be saying that he would not make a very filling meal. We should reassure him that he is much too charming to eat anyway.   « Less

Jalisco Sculpture of a Spirit Dog - PF.1277,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 6.75" (17.1cm) high x 4.375" (11.1cm) wide,Catalogue: V7,Collection:  More »

Jalisco Sculpture of a Spirit Dog - PF.1277,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 6.75" (17.1cm) high x 4.375" (11.1cm) wide,Catalogue: V7,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Jalisco,Medium: Terracotta. The folklore of ancient America is rich in tales of men transformed into dogs, coyotes, or wolves. These creatures were associated with safe passage through the underworld, and magic men in the throes of a trance were known to assume canine shape. While fat, friendly dogs are quite common in the art of ancient Mexico, this fascinating example is clearly different. He sits staring, as if lost in dreams, with a body that seems half-human, half-beast. We feel the power of his spirit magic, the mysterious spell that hovers about him still. At any moment, we might expect him to change back to his original shape.   « Less

Jalisco Vessel in the Form of a Dog - PF.1985,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 8.75" (22.2cm) high x 6.125" (15.6cm) wide,Catalogue: V7,Collection:  More »

Jalisco Vessel in the Form of a Dog - PF.1985,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 8.75" (22.2cm) high x 6.125" (15.6cm) wide,Catalogue: V7,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Jalisco,Medium: Terracotta. As with many animals known to the Ancient Americas, the dog played a role that was part practical and part spiritual. Guardians and companions in life, dogs were sometimes eaten as food on festive occasions. In the afterlife, dogs were believed to lead the deceased into the underworld. This whimsical pot depicts a seated dog rendered with abstract fluency. With alert ears and wide eyes, he guards the contents of his vessel body against all intruders real and imagined. Though he looks a little skeptical, we hasten to assure him of our friendly intentions.   « Less

Jalisco Vessel in the Form of a Dog - PF.1988,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 8.25" (21.0cm) high x 5.25" (13.3cm) wide,Catalogue: V7,Collection:  More »

Jalisco Vessel in the Form of a Dog - PF.1988,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 8.25" (21.0cm) high x 5.25" (13.3cm) wide,Catalogue: V7,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Jalisco,Medium: Terracotta. Dogs appear quite prominently in the funerary art of Ancient Mexico. In that society, they served the functions of pets and guardians that they still do today, but on occasion they were also eaten as food. It was believed that dogs led the dead into the underworld, and this might also account for their appearance in tombs. This plump creature certainly suggests an association with eating. Very possibly, his rounded body once held a tasty stew for the pleasure of the deceased. Now empty, he nonetheless continues to give pleasure of a more companionable sort to those alert to his canine charms.   « Less