Special Value Offer: Hopi Magnificent Hemis Katsina Doll, circa 1960s [SOLD]

Special Value Offer: We have been authorized to reduce the price of this doll from $1900 to $1500.

The Hemis Katsina is one of the more spectacular looking of all katsinas, particularly when one sees a line of 20 or 30 of them dancing in front of the same number of Hemis Manas kneeling and creating rhythm with rasping sticks.  It is a favorite Katsina for the Niman ceremony (Home Dance) at most Hopi villages.

The Niman ceremony is performed precisely at midsummer.  It is the time of the most intense prayer and meditation in the village and is meant for all of mankind, not just for the Hopi.  The Hemis Katsinam bring traditional gifts as stalks of corn, melons, katsina dolls, and bows and arrows, and dance and provide special blessings. The katsinam dance throughout the day and, at the last dance of the day, the village brides of that year are presented, dressed in their wedding robes, to receive special blessings from the katsinam and other supernatural beings.  Each bride is presented with an elaborately created katsina doll, such as this Hemis Katsina doll.  The brides of this day will someday depart the earth and, at that time, will be buried in the same white cotton wedding robe.  (Secakuku, 1995)

At the last dance of the Niman ceremony, the katsina spirits will depart the Hopi villages and return to their spirit world carrying with them the prayers of the Hopi and spreading them to the six directions.  Thus ends the Hopi katsina season until the next year.

This Hemis Katsina doll is an excellent example of the finest craftsmanship.  It has been beautifully carved with excellent body proportions and spectacular painted designs.  He carries in his left hand gifts for the Hopi—in this case a flat-style Hahai-i-Wuhti doll that will be presented to a new born as its first katsina doll and also a Hopi Third Mesa plaque to be presented to an adult.  In his right hand, he carries a stick game for a child.

Henry Shelton, who’s Hopi name is Ho-ya’oma, translated to Arrow Carrying, is from the village of Oraibi on Third Mesa on the Hopi Reservation.  His father was Peter Shelton, Sr. and his brother is Peter Shelton, Jr. both of whom were carvers of katsina dolls. Henry attended the Santa Fe Indian School from 1944 to 1949.  His awards and exhibitions are too numerous to mention here.  He devoted much of his life to creating katsina dolls, paintings, and sculptures. He is in collections of the Smithsonian, Museum of Northern Arizona, Kansas State Historical Society, Denver Art Museum and Heard Museum and many private collections.  His work is eagerly sought.  One look at this Hemis doll is justification for collecting his carvings.

Condition: dusty but in excellent condition

Provenance: from the estate of the Balcomb family, passed down through the family

Reference and Recommended Reading:  Following the Sun and Moon: Hopi Kachina Tradition by Alph H. Secakuku.