Reclining dog effigy vessel

Colima tombs are generally smaller and shallower than those of Nayarit and Jalisco, and their ceramic contents are thought to show less stylistic variation. In terms of imagery, however, the Colima ceramics show a much broader thematic repertoire. A large number of ‘acrobats’, horned individuals, animals and other creatures are exquisitely rendered in the form of glossy red-slipped vessels or hollow figurines.

Small fat dogs, thought to represent a pre-Hispanic hairless dog known as techichi, are among the most common representations. Kelly (1978) excavated a dog effigy vessel from a tomb at El Manchon, south of Los Ortices, Colima, which she attributes to the Comala phase (early Classic period). The significance of dogs as part of a mortuary complex is uncertain. They may have been included in the tombs as a reference to sustenance, since such dogs were fattened up and eaten as a delicacy in pre-Hispanic Mexico. Alternatively, Toscano (1946: 24) has suggested that they were the emissaries of Xolotl who guided the dead to the underworld.

The spout is placed on the back of the curled up dog, which is shown with bared teeth, as are many of the Colima dog effigies.

Joanne Pillsbury & Ted. J. J. Leyenaar, 1997

Entry from Steven Hooper (ed.), Catalogue to the Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection. University of East Anglia, 1997.)