US DOLLAR
EURO
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR
CANADIAN DOLLAR
POUND STERLING
Product Description
SEE MORE PRE-COLUMBIAN ARTIFACTS
This is a genuine Pre-Columbian carved dog pendant attributed to the Colima Western Mexico Culture. It is carved out of a colorful spondylus shell in SUPERB, complete preservation, depicting a figure of a dog in a curved pose with its fore paws covering its eyes. Known to exist in Mexico for more than 3,000 years, the Xolo (show-low) can justly claim the distinction as the first dog of the Americas. Some of the Pre-Columbian peoples believe dogs were the companions of the god of the underworld. Others believed that dogs guarded the souls of the dead as they traveled through the dangerous regions of the underworld. Dogs were probably placed in Colima tombs to accompany and guard the soul in the afterlife. This ancient pendant is safe to wear today!
The pendant is drilled through its entire length and features complete preserved carving detail and workmanship on this undamaged, superb specimen. There are intact ancient deposits on some surfaces and in crevices, attesting to its authenticity and age.
The animal most frequently depicted in Colima art is the hairless dog, known as the Techichi or Escuincle. It is believed to be a relative of the Chihuahua and/or the Mexican Hairless (Xoloitzcuintle). The word Xoloitzcuintle (pronounced show-low-eats-queen´-tlee) is derived from the name of the Aztec god Xolotl (twin brother of the god Quetzacoatl), and the Aztec word for dog, itzcuintli. Known to exist in Mexico for more than 3,000 years, the Xolo (show-low) can justly claim the distinction as the first dog of the Americas. Many expressive ceramic sculptures of small, hairless, fat dogs have been found in tombs in Northwestern Mexico. There a culture known as Colima evolved around 2200 and 1500 years ago. The people of the Colima Culture valued their dogs, who were their companions, guardians and sometimes even their food.
Ancient stories illustrate the importance of dogs in Pre-Columbian culture. One story tells us of the first man who survived the great flood thanks to his friend—a dog. In the story, the dog did everything for the first man including finding corn to eat and making fire.