Dog-form Bowl

Dog-form Bowl

200 B.C.-A.D.300
Culture
Colima
Locale
Colima
Country
Mexico
Style/Tradition
Comala
Object
bowl
Medium
Earthenware with colored slip
Accession Number
1969.314
Credit Line
Gift of May D&F Co. in honor of David Touff
Dog-form Bowl . 200 B.C.-A.D.300 . Earthenware with colored slip. Gift of May D&F Co. in honor of David Touff. 1969.314.
Dimensions
height: 11.5 in, 29.2100 cm; width: 19 in, 48.2600 cm; diameter: 11.5 in, 29.2100 cm
Department
Mayer Center, Arts of the Ancient Americas
Collection
Arts of the Ancient Americas

Dog-form Bowl
Colima, Comala style
200 B.C.–A.D. 300
Mexico, Colima
Earthenware with colored slip
Gift of May D. & F. Co. in honor of David Touff, 1969.314

Large, hollow ceramic figures and vessels from Colima in West Mexico are characterized by naturalistic modeling and smoothly polished red surfaces.  Potters manufactured both human figures and a variety of animal species, including ducks, parrots, armadillos, turtles, and crustaceans.  Most popular of all were ceramic dogs, generally represented with large heads, rotund bodies, and short, stout legs.  Dogs were eaten as a food in ancient Mexico, so ceramic dogs may have been placed in tombs as sustenance for the afterlife.  This example also functioned as a wide-mouthed jar, probably for serving liquids.  In addition, dogs were widely believed to guide and protect the souls of the deceased, making ceramic dogs fitting tomb offerings.

Known Provenance
Collection of Morton D. May [1914-1983], St. Louis; (May-D&F), Denver, CO (part of May Department Stores Company, St. Louis, MO.); Gifted to the Denver Art Museum, 1969

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