Katsinam
(plural) are Hopi spirits that represent almost every aspect
of Hopi life. They are also called the "Cloud People." They
appear in dances from December to July each year. The dances
are part of the Hopi religious calendar, and important
in bringing precipitation for the crops (snow in the winter
and rain in the warm months) as well as other blessings
to the Hopi people. Katsina dolls are carved to give to
children at these dances. Katsina dolls have also been
carved for sale since the mid 1800's.
We recommend
that you purchase only Hopi or other Pueblo katsinas (such
as Zuni). So-called "Navajo kachinas" are simply poor copies
or completely made-up figures such as "Medicine Men," often
done on a lathe, factory-line style, and have no significance
whatsoever. While Navajo spirits called "yé'ii" are part of
their culture, katsinas are not.
We
specialize in work by some of the best Hopi carvers.
Our emphasis is on extensive detailing in the carving
(hands, muscles, hair, etc.), realistic body proportions
and as much of the doll as possible carved from one piece
of wood.
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Lawrence Acadiz Hen old-style katsina doll
Really rare to see the female hen as opposed to the male rooster.
10 3/4" high
$180. |
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Nick Brokeshoulder old-style Long-hair katsina doll
The Long-hair is an important rain-bringing katsina. The Long-hair represents the falling rain.
13" high to feather top
$250. |
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Darance Chimerica Badger old-style katsina doll
Darance has a most interesting style in carving the revival dolls.
12" high
$350. |
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Arthur Holmes mocking katsina doll
The Mocking katsina is a comedic figure who imitates others to the point of exasperation until the katsinam can get rid of him by setting his bark hair on fire. Beautifully done.
13" high; staff 12 1/4" high
$8000.
 
 
 
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Wilmer Kaye Badger cradleboard katsina doll
Cradleboard dolls were given to infants and often tied to their cradleboards.
11 3/4" high
$69. |
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Wilmer Kaye Red-beard Long-hair katsina doll and Maiden
Wilmer is famed for his multiple-figure sculptural dolls.
8 1/8" high and 3 1/4" long
$395. |
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Albin Kewanwytewa eagle katsina doll
An interesting base.
15 1/4" high and 13 1/4" wide
$1950.
 
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Albin Kewanwytewa Hemis katsina doll
This is the katsina that usually leads the Home Dance (Niman) in July when the katsinam depart from the Hopi until the following winter.
19" high
$1600.
  
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Alfred "Bo" Lomahquahu owl katsina doll
Alfred has won many major awards for his work. He always creates katsina dolls with unusual poses.
15" high and 8 1/2" wide
$6500.
 
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Lawrence Melendez white bear corn cradleboard katsina doll
The Hopi sometimes do cradleboard dolls for children with corn bodies since corn is their primary food source.
9 3/8" high
$56. |
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Lawrence Melendez old-style Koshare
This clown is often portrayed as a glutton, gorging on watermelon and many other foods.
16" high
$245. |
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Palhikwmana (Corn Grinding or Butterfly Katsina Maiden), circa 1975
Shown here grinding corn; note the use of non-wooden materials typical of that time.
13 1/4" high and 8 3/4" wide and 7 3/4" long
$990.
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Loren Phillips Ogre Woman (So'yokwuuti) katsina doll
Loren is famous for the detailed carving of wrinkling and folds in clothing and his beautiful painting.
13 1/4" high and 9 1/4" wide
$6300.
 
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Silas Roy Ram katsina doll
The staff represents the Ram's front legs. He helps bring rain in the springtime.
15" high
$2250.
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