1973.53 Dog with human mask (Colima, Mexico, West Mexico)

The preclassic cultures of West Mexico occupied the modern states of Jalisco, Nayarit, and Colima, where artisans produced a variety of ceramic figures in distinctive regional styles. This ceramic dog is from Late Preclassic (Late Formative) Colima. This region is known for a wide variety of sculptural styles from multiple cultural groups that inhabited this area of Western Mexico, though it is best known for its distinctive ceramics. It is believed that many of these ceramic vessels were included among funerary goods of the elite. 

Dogs have great importance throughout the ancient Americas and are commonly depicted in mythical stories and in various artistic representations. Red-slipped, hollow clay effigies of short-legged, hairless, fattened dogs are numerous in Colima funerary art. They may represent the now extinct Tepescuintli breed, a dog once raised for both food and companionship in Mesoamerica, and physically similar to the present-day Xolo or Mexican Hairless (Xoloitzcuintli). Unifying form and function, the spout of the vessel comprises the tail of the animal. Usually the dogs appear in naturalistic, expressive poses, but others, including this example, wear a human mask similar to life-size masks often included in Colima burials. The mask may have indicated supernatural status for the dog, linking it to the ancient belief in the supernatural dog as spirit guide for human dead through the underworld. Dog effigies, such as this example, may have been placed in burials to accompany and guard the soul of their deceased master in the afterlife.

Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619

Colima (West Coast Mesoamerican styles): AAT: 300017197

West Coast Mesoamerican styles: AAT: 300017196

Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560

Colima (state/Mexico): TGN: 7016644

ceramic (material): AAT: 300235507

paint (coating): AAT: 300015029

slip (clay): AAT: 300010459

slip glaze: AAT: 300015110

clay: AAT: 300010439

resin (organic material): AAT: 300012882

glazing (coating): AAT: 300053914

incising: AAT: 300053847

burnishing (polishing): AAT: 30053869

modeling (forming): AAT: 300053130

coiling (pottery technique): AAT: 300053903

slab method (pottery technique): AAT: 300053905

Formative Period (Preclassic): AAT: 300016973

Preclassic (Archaic / Formative / Mesoamerican period): AAT: 300016967

Late Preclassic Period (Formative): AAT: 300016976

sculpture: AAT: 300047090

vessels (containers): AAT: 300193015

funerary objects: AAT: 300234126

effigies (funerary sculpture): AAT: 300047108

tombs: AAT: 300005926

burials: AAT: 300263485

figures (representations): AAT: 300189808

standing: AAT: 300239500

animals: DMA

dogs (animals): AAT: 300250130

round (shape): AAT: 300121969

Tepescuintli (dog breed): DMA

Mexican Hairless / Xoloitzcuintli / Xolo (dog breed): DMA

food: AAT: 300254496

tails (animal components): AAT: 300251800

spouts (container components): AAT: 300197224

pose: AAT: 300067390

naturalism (artistic form of expression): AAT: 300311115

masks (costume): AAT: 300138758

face masks: AAT: 300262834

faces (animal or human components): AAT: 300251798

face: DMA

human figures: AAT: 300404114

transformations (concepts / processes): DMA

supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947

spirit: AAT: 300379007

myth: AAT: 300201023

mythical or legendary beings: AAT: 300375725

underworld (doctrinal concept): AAT: 300343823

guardian: DMA

souls (spirits / beings): AAT: 300379821

afterlife: AAT: 300264304

hollow (form attribute): AAT: 300163023

n.d.: Dr. and Sra. Josué Sáenz, Mexico, D.F. [1], [2]

Until 1973: Edward H. Merrin Gallery, Inc., New York [1], [2]

From 1973: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene McDermott and The Eugene McDermott Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. Algur H. Meadows and the Meadows Foundation, Incorporated, purchased from the above [1], [2], [3]

[1] The main source for this provenance is Object Worksheet (n.d., copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[2] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated March 13, 1973, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[3] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.

Apply to objects where number equals 1973.53