Hopi Tasap Yeibichai Katsina Doll, circa 1950 [SOLD]

“The Grandfather of the Navajo Kachina is one of the more enjoyable features of the Navajo Kachina Dance. He does not speak but pantomimes whatever he wants.  He starts the dance, acting as a leader in both singing and dancing.  His dance step is an exaggeration, and a very lively one, that may be interspersed with a comic action such as the request for food—mountains of food.  All of these requests are done in pantomimes that bring laughter to the audience.” Wright 1973

The Grandfather or Uncle has several variations but the one portrayed here is the one that is most often seen.  There is a cornstalk painted down the center of the face and the ears are generally corn silk, however, this doll’s ears are probably represented by the two rows of black yarn across the forehead and down each side of the face.  He wears a fox tail from his waist on the back side.  In his right hand he carries a gourd rattle and in his left a squash blossom.

Condition: This Hopi Pueblo carving is in very good condition with only one head feather missing

Provenance: from the extensive collection of a family from Oregon

Recommended Reading: Kachinas: A Hopi Artist’s Documentary by Barton Wright with paintings by Cliff Bahnimptewa.  This book is currently not available from Adobe Gallery.