26/08/2026
🐶 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐃𝐚𝐲 🐾
Who doesn’t love dogs? Their unconditional loyalty, silly antics and loving nature are a comforting and joyful presence in people’s lives. Yet, throughout history and different cultures, dogs have also fulfilled other, more serious roles. A frequently recurring theme? Dogs were believed to accompany humans to the underworld after death. 👀
#1: This wooden ‘ointment spoon’ depicts a resting dog. Like most of these ‘spoons’ dating from the 18th Egyptian dynasty (16th-13th century BCE), it was used to offer sacrifices. This object was used in death rituals and does not, in fact, fall into the category of toiletry items, as was previously thought.
#2: In the Far East, the dog is the eleventh of the animals of the zodiac and surrounded by both benevolent and malevolent symbolism. Dogs may act as psychopompos, or guiding souls. In Japan dogs are generally viewed quite favourably: they are seen as faithful companions; their effigies protect children and ease the labour of pregnant women. The sculptor Sanko, very few of whose works have survived, is mentioned in the Sôken kishô, written by Inaba Tsûryû (a professional sword mount maker in Ôsaka) and published in 1787; the seventh volume of this work is the oldest reference on netsuke (miniature sculptures).
#3: What can't be missing on a box of hard porcelain and gold (approx. 1750, Meissen)? Obviously, a depiction of two goofy pugs! Pugs are small, short-haired dogs from China that first arrived in Europe in the 16th century. This posh, precious dog soon became the favourite pet of the great courts of Europe.
#4, 5 & 6: In the art of Colima, Mexico, dogs were the most commonly portrayed animals. For example: a terracotta vase in the shape of a standing dog (300 BCE-400) with its head raised and ears erect. The mouth of the vase? Right on top of the dog’s head. Or look at this chubby little fellow’s cute tail (200 BCE-300), from which you can pour your guests a refreshing drink. Next up: an even more complex Mexican vase sculpture (1300-1500) depicting two dogs. Their mouths are open, revealing large teeth. What would they be grinning or angry about?
#7: Even in the 20th century, dogs & vases were still an excellent combination. Have a look at this jug (1955) by Ann Podolski-Cape, shaped like an upright sitting dog. Its neck is decorated with white petals, and its tail curls up perfectly so that it can serve as an elegant handle.
🔎 Go on a little dog discovery tour at the Art & History Museum, there’s plenty of art pieces on this topic! Which one is your favourite? ✨
