Photograph by B. Bernard
The potters of ancient Mexico are famous for their dog effigy vessels.
The ceramic dogs are typically found in
shaft tombs of west Mexico. The tombs were excavated roughly 2,000 years
ago. The ceramic dogs placed in the tombs may have served
as guides during the underworld travels of the recently dead.
Otto Schöndube
has suggested, instead, that figurines of fat dogs served as
symbolic food for the journey. Despite these serious purposes,
the creativity (and even whimsey) of the ceramic artists is often
apparent. Modern dog lovers are often understandably attracted to these
ceramic canines for their own sake.
Each of the seven dogs shown above is also shown below. Can you match the dogs in the group picture with the individual portraits?
68.40.130, ceramic dog effigy vessel (two views)
Preconquest Mexico (pre-A.D. 1520s)
Gilbert and Dorothy Maxwell collection
Photographs by B. Bernard.
68.40.105, ceramic dog effigy vessel (two views)
Preconquest Mexico (pre-A.D. 1520s)
Gilbert and Dorothy Maxwell collection
Photographs by B. Bernard.
68.50.80, ceramic dog effigy vessel (two views)
Preconquest Mexico (pre-A.D. 1520s)
William J. Wilson collection
Photographs by B. Bernard.
65.24.170, ceramic dog effigy vessel (two views)
Preconquest Mexico (pre-A.D. 1520s)
North-Alves collection
photographs by B. Bernard.
68.40.132, ceramic dog effigy vessel(two views)
Preconquest Mexico (pre-A.D. 1520s)
Gilbert and Dorothy Maxwell collection
Photographs by B. Bernard.
68.50.49, ceramic dog effigy vessel (two views)
Preconquest Mexico (pre-A.D. 1520s)
William J. Wilson collection
Photographs by B. Bernard.
The ancient pooch shown above has different markings on each flank.
68.50.50, ceramic dog effigy vessel (two views)
Preconquest Mexico (pre-A.D. 1520s)
William J. Wilson collection
Photographs by B. Bernard.
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All content copyright © Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University of New Mexico. High-resolution versons of these photographs may be ordered from the Maxwell Museum's photo archives. Please make note of the catalogue number. For more information please visit the photo archives web page
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