Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. I love this guy! A hollow pottery vessel in the form of a jaguar with a large conical spout on its back. The jaguar has an open, snarling mouth and stands with legs slightly bent. This is a rare form for a Colima vessel, distinguished from the Colima dogs. The jaguar was a symbol of power and royalty throughout ancient Mesoamerica. Size: 6.8" W x 8.5" H (17.3 cm x 21.6 cm)

Colima, located on Mexico's southwestern coast, was during this time part of the shaft tomb culture, along with neighbors to the north in Jalisco and Nayarit. In this culture, the dead were buried down shafts -- 3 to 20 meters deep -- that were dug vertically or near vertically through the volcanic tuff that makes up the geology of the region. The base of the shaft would open into one or more horizontal chambers with a low ceiling. These shafts were almost always dug beneath a dwelling, probably a family home, and seem to have been used as family mausoleums, housing the remains of many related individuals. Hollow pottery figures like this one were placed around the tomb; a jaguar like this one might have held ritual libations or offerings for a high status individual.

Provenance: Ex-Private Tucson, AZ collection formed in the 1980's.

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#117875

Professionally repaired bowl area else intact and excellent