This little vessel has been shaped into the form
of a dog. It rests, slightly elevated off the
ground, on four cylindrical legs. The head rises
out of the shoulder of the vessel and is minimally
modeled, with the suggestion of ears and incised
dots depicting the eyes and mouth. A little nub
of a tail protrudes from the rear. In ancient
Mexico, dogs served a variety of roles. They
were domesticated companions who served their
masters in life. However, they were also one of
the staple foods of the Western Mexican diet.
Discovered inside a tomb, it is possible that this
dog vessel was buried along side the deceased in
order either to provide companionship
throughout the afterlife or to serve as an eternal
meal in the next world. Considering that this
work would have once held an offering to the
deceased inside, it is more likely that this was a
replica of a beloved pet there to greet his master
in the great beyond.
- (PF.6298)
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