Hopi Older Ahöl Mana Katsina Doll [SOLD]

“Ahöl Mana occurs only on Second Mesa at the time of the Soyal.  She is a standard Kachina Mana except that she comes with Ahöla which by context makes her Ahöl Mana.  She accompanies Ahöla on his rounds to the various kivas and ceremonial houses.  In her hands she holds a tray with various kinds of seeds from the fields of the Kachina Chief.” Wright 1973

Note: try to pronounce ö like the “U” in the word bUrn.

This carving dates to the 1940s and was carved solely from cottonwood.  She has her hair up in the maiden whorl worn by unmarried Hopi females.  She wears the traditional pueblo dress and is wrapped in the standard manta.  An excellent representation of this Katsina.

The doll will stand unaided.  She has a string by which she can be hung and there is a metal stand provided for secure display.

Condition:  there is no evidence of any breakage of feet or arms which is quite unusual in a doll of this age.  Her only claim to age is her loss of paint which actually is an asset to the visual appeal.

Reference: Kachinas: A Hopi Artist’s Documentary by Barton Wright with original paintings by Cliff Bahnimptewa

Provenance: from the extensive collection of a Santa Fe resident who is unfortunately moving to another city and found it necessary to greatly reduce her collection.