Colima Standing Dog

The Colima Standing Dog is an iconic pre-Columbian ceramic figure produced by ancient artisans of the Colima culture in western Mexico, dating approximately from 200 BCE to 500 CE. These hollow earthenware sculptures depict the Xoloitzcuintli, a hairless dog breed considered sacred and believed to guide souls to the underworld, and are among the most recognized artifacts of ancient Mesoamerican art. Discovered primarily in shaft tombs, these figures were created as funerary offerings and are celebrated for their naturalistic form, smooth burnished surfaces, and expressive vitality.