Colima Vessel in the Form of a Dog - PF.1429,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,,Dimensions: 10.625" (27.0cm) high x 13" (33.0cm) depth,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. Like the Cheshire Cat in Wonderland, this plump little dog has memorable smile. Wide and toothy, it has a friendly, almost human quality. Its original intention may not have been so welcoming however: in ancient Mexico, little dogs were often fattened as food. A dog vessel like this—visibly overweight—may have been intended to nourish the deceased in the underworld. Perhaps he smiles in the hope that we’ll like him too much to eat him. We should reassure him that in our world, dogs are treated as adored and pampered pets. Perhaps then, he’ll smile even wider.

Antiquities
Ancient Central America & Mexico