Colima Terracotta Xoloitzcuintle (Sitting dog) - 31.5 cm

Beautiful pre-Columbian terracotta sculpture of a seated dog from the Colima culture (West Mexico). Dating: Protoclassical period, ca. 100 BCE – 300 CE. This impressive, hollow figure (urn) has a height of 31.5 cm and is finished with a characteristic polished red slip. Such dog figures (presumably the Xoloitzcuintle) served in the Colima culture as important grave offerings and spiritual guides for the afterlife. The object is in a representative condition, fully appropriate to its archaeological age. As is very common with pre-Columbian grave pottery, the piece has sustained past breaks which have been restored; stabilized break lines are visible around the neck and torso. The extreme tip of the right ear is also missing. Please inspect the attached photos closely for your own complete view of the condition. Provenance This lot stands out for its excellent and demonstrable European provenance. The sculpture has been in a Dutch private collection for decades and is supplied with the original physical appraisal dated 14 April 1994, drawn up by sworn antiquarian and appraiser Bodes & Bode from The Hague. Indication of required export licenses For shipment and sale within the European Union, no export license is required, since the demonstrable provenance confirms that the object has long been in the EU (well before the relevant UNESCO treaties concerning illicit trade). Bidders from outside the EU should be aware that they themselves are responsible for any local customs or import regulations. Shipping method Given the fragility of the terracotta, the object will be packaged with utmost care, shock-absorbent, and 'box-in-box' (double). Shipping is always by registered mail and fully insured, including track & trace. Pickup in Rotterdam (near Nesselande) is also possible after the auction, in consultation.

Estimate:£1,690.24

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