Colima Pottery Gadrooned Vessel with Dog Heads

A choice Pre-Columbian terracotta tripod vessel, West Coast Mexico, Colima culture (Comala phase), dating to circa 100 BC to 250 AD. Masterfully hand-modeled in the form of a deeply ribbed pumpkin or squash, the compressed globular body is defined by prominent, rhythmic vertical fluting beneath a cylindrical neck and wide, everted flat rim. The vessel is raised upon three hollow sculptural supports naturalistically modeled as the heads of indigenous hairless dogs (or coatis), each terminal oriented downward with the tapered snout resting directly on the ground surface to form the tripod base. The animal supports are delicately detailed with rounded ears in relief, incised circular eyes, and nostrils, imbuing the vessel with zoomorphic reverence characteristic of West Mexican funerary effigies. The entire surface is enveloped in a rich, burnished red-brown slip, enhanced by extensive areas of dark manganese dendrites and ancient calcified mineral staining that highlight the contours of the fluting. Measuring approximately 9 inches in height (22.86 cm H.), 11 inches in bowl diameter (27.94 cm Dia.), with a maximum width across the tripod base of 12 inches (30.48 cm W.). Repaired from ancient breaks with stable, discreet restoration along the break lines as documented on the original gallery record, surviving in overall excellent and imposing condition with striking visual presence. Provenance: Acquired from the renowned André Emmerich Inc. gallery, 41 East 57th Street, New York, on October 13, 1970 (Catalogue No. T-526) by prominent collectors Dr. Aaron H. and Rosa Esman, New York; accompanied by a copy of the original 1970 André Emmerich purchase invoice