Ceramic Quadruped Figurine

Solidly modeled mammalian quadruped with elongated body and upright ears and tail. Mouth is open, upper part of muzzle is missing, so this specimen lacks nostrils. Punctuate eyes are deep and oval in shape. Anus is more triangular. Design is relatively well preserved, only partially obliterated by erosion, soot and soil. Vertical stripes are painted up forelegs to a band around neck. Horizontal stripes extend along the body and up the tail. There are also vertical lines on the hindquarters. Surface is porous with micaceous schist and sand temper This was one of six ceramic figurines recovered from a pre-Classic Period pithouse at Pueblo Grande. Pueblo Grande was a large village site located at the headgates of a major canal system occupied as early as AD 500 through 1450. Museum Accession: 1996.17