Stone dog sculpture

Stone sculpture depicting a dog, volcanic lava stone, Mexica (Aztec), c. 1350-1521 CE, height 28 cms., Museum am Rothenbaum, Hamburg.

Dogs were regarded by the Aztecs as companions of the soul of their deceased master on its journey into the afterlife. The sculpture can be placed in this context. In addition, like turkeys they were also bred as food.

From Aztecs, eds. Doris Kurella, Martin Berger and Inés de Castro, with INAH, Mexico - catalogue for the exhibition Azteken, Linden Museum, Stuttgart, Hirmer Publishers, Germany, 2019, p. 301.

Photo by Ian Mursell/Mexicolore.