Mexican / Central American pottery candle holder pot, jug shape w/ hand painted birds

Here's an interesting pottery piece from Mexico or central America, a candle holder, we think? We haven't been able to find out much at all about this piece, though we know it's at least 25 years old, and was bought back as a souvenir piece.

It was being used as a candle holder (and shows wax drippings from the candles). The openings for the candles don't all go through into the pot, so we're guessing that it must have been intended for candles.

The birds look more like ducks than doves, though we're not sure about that, and don't know the symbolism behind the birds, if any. The whole piece has a folk painted design, and measures about 8" x 8".

There's no noticeable chips to this piece, though there's some roughness from manufacture and some general wear and scratching. 

If you know anything as all about the purpose of this piece, it's origins, or the real name for this traditional looking shape, please email us - we'd love to know a little more about it.