Colima Dog

Holding an ear of corn in his teeth, this plump little dog replicates those found in shaft tombs throughout western Mexico and especially in the state of Colima. Artisans from the Angel Ceron Artisan Association depict the itzcuintli, a cheerful, barkless species prized by ancient man. Sculpted in clay as funerary offerings, they accompanied their masters in death to aid the soul in crossing rivers of blood along the road of the dead.