---
title: Mesoamerican Canine Vessel
author: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20989/mesoamerican-canine-vessel/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2025-09-12
---
# Mesoamerican Canine Vessel
_Authored by The Metropolitan Museum of Art_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20989.jpg)
## Image Caption
Ceramic Mesoamerican canine vessel from South-Central Veracruz, Mexico, c. 600 to c. 900.
This open ceramic bowl from the Veracruz Late Classic period features a mould-made effigy of a canine resembling a *xoloitzcuintle*, a wrinkly, hairless breed from the region, which can still be seen today. While its raised paw evokes a sense of playfulness of the everyday companion, some of its more exaggerated features, such as the secondary set of curled fangs, suggest a more mythical figure.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Art, T. M. M. o. (2025, September 12). Mesoamerican Canine Vessel. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Art, The Metropolitan Museum of. "Mesoamerican Canine Vessel." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 12, 2025. .
### MLA
Art, The Metropolitan Museum of. "Mesoamerican Canine Vessel." *World History Encyclopedia*, 12 Sep 2025, .
## License & Copyright
© [Metropolitan Museum of Art](http://metmuseum.org/), NY. As part of the [Met's Open Access policy](https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/policies-and-documents/open-access), the Metropolitan Museum of Art has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this dataset. [Original image](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/313292) by [**The Metropolitan Museum of Art**](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/313292). Submitted by [Zachary Kay](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/zacharykay/ "User Page: Zachary Kay"), published on 12 September 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.