from shaft-and-chamber tomb in Colima, West Mexico

Dog-shaped pot

This dog-shaped pot comes from a shaft-and-chamber tomb. It was buried with the dead as one of the grave gifts; perhaps it contained food or drink. Dogs were symbolically important creatures, guiding souls into the Underworld and guarding the way.

This pot is in the shape of a hairless Mexican dog, with a plump belly and alert expression. The spout of the pot is in the dog's tail.

Many shaft-and-chamber tombs were built for multiple burials in West Mexico between 300 BC-AD 200.Grave goods included variously-shaped pots. Dog pots were popular, as dogs were believed to have magical powers. Fattened dogs were sacrificed at feasts.

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Online ID:	000-100-104-665-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland A.1956.762
Date:	300 BC - 200 AD Between 300 BC and 200 AD
Material:
Dimensions:	8.75" H x 12.50" L
What:	Vessel / pot
Subject:	Pottery vessels
Who:
Where:	Mexico, Ancient Mexico, Colima
Event:
Description:	Vessel made of light red pottery in the form of a hairless dog with the tail forming a spout: Ancient Mexico, from Colima, Aztec period, 300 BC - 200 AD
References:	Gallagher, J. 1983. Companions of the Dead: Ceramic Tomb Sculptures from Ancient West Mexico. Los Angeles: UCLA Townsend, R F. (ed) 1998. Ancient West Mexico: Art and Archaeology of the Unknown Past. London: Thames & Hudson.
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