Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. An endearing pottery vessel of a rare form with a tubular, curved body and 2 heads! The adorable canines face one another, each slightly raising their pointed snout as though investigating their companion. Surmounted by sizeable, pointed ears, each of their heads display annular eyes divided by an incised crest, a tapered snout, delineated nostrils, and an open mouth revealing 2 rows of square teeth. Their front paws appear to bend beneath them, while a thick tail slopes upward from the arch of their U-shaped body, opening at the top to form the spout of the vessel. Size: 11" L x 7.6" W x 5.9" H (27.9 cm x 19.3 cm x 15 cm)Scholars know of at least two types of Colima dogs, one to be fattened up and ritually sacrificed or eaten and one to serve as a watchdog and healer of the ill. This plump hairless canine known as a Chichi or Escuintla is thought to be related to the Chihuahua or Mexican Hairless also known as the Xoloitzcuintle. The Xolo dog was named for the deity Xolotl, the God of the Underworld, and believed to guide the deceased as they journeyed to the afterlife. Colima vessels such as this one were buried in shaft tombs to protect the deceased and provide sustenance for eternity. Provenance: ex-Splendors of the World, Haiku, Hawaii, USA, before 2010 All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #173807