Ceramic Dog c. 1936

Marian Curtis Foster painted this charming ceramic dog, its symbolism rooted in ancient ideas of loyalty and guardianship. Here, the dog bears not a weapon but a basket, overflowing with what appears to be flowers or perhaps even eyeballs. The dog motif has carried various meanings across cultures, often linked to protection. Think of Cerberus, the multi-headed hound guarding the gates of the Underworld in Greek mythology. Now, consider how this friendly canine evokes a sense of domesticity, its gift-laden basket hinting at friendship and hospitality. The addition of the basket shifts the focus from the dog’s protective nature to one of generosity and nurture. The presence of what looks like eyeballs can perhaps be traced to the ancient idea of the evil eye, which the dog seems to keep at bay. Though there is a strong symbolic dissonance between the morbid eyeballs and the good-natured pup, this is the way symbols evolve to stay relevant and powerful across time.