**First Time At Auction**
Pre-Columbian, Valley of Mexico, Teotihuacan, ca. 3rd to 7th century CE. A hand-carved jadeite amulet with fine string-cut features presenting an animated miniature canine. This charm features characteristic slit form eyes and mouth, a rounded snout, and raised ears centered atop the head. The dog’s body is rounded towards its tail with discernible front legs, where a suspension hole has been drilled. The dog has an overall jubilant presence. Size: 1.2" L x 1" W (3 cm x 2.5 cm)
Dogs were important symbols in the region and period. They were believed to serve their masters even after death, guiding the soul of the deceased through the many hazardous layers of the underworld to reach Mictlan, the place of the dead. Also, a god known as Xolotl—sometimes depicted with the head of a dog—had strong ties to the underworld.
Provenance: private Matrisciano collection, Thousand Oaks, California, USA, before 2001
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.
#163225
Condition
Nice earthen deposits in crevices, excellent overall condition.