Hopi Navuk’china - Prickly Pear Leaf Katsina Doll [SOLD]

This may be the Navuk’china Katsina doll, known as the Prickly Pear Leaf Katsina.  There are several varieties of Cactus Katsina:

- Osök’china is the Cholla Cactus Katsina

- Yung’a is the Prickly Pear Fruit Katsina

Any of the Cactus Katsina may appear as policemen or enforcer katsinas, and the staff that they carry often has a cactus joint attached at the end as a weapon.

- Wright 1973 p117

The Navuk’china has black and white alternating stripes on the top of his head, as does this doll.  He also has cactus blossoms on the face of the mask, as does this doll.  He should have two huzrunkwa, or warrior feathers, on his head, but, on this doll, they have probably been removed in accordance with federal regulations.

This carving dates to circa 1940s based on the matte finish of the paint.

Condition: basically, in very good condition except for the crack in the wood down the front on the chest and skirt.

Provenance: this Hopi Navuk’china - Prickly Pear Leaf Katsina Doll is from a Santa Fe resident

Recommended Reading: Kachinas a Hopi Artist’s Documentary by Barton Wright with original paintings by Cliff Bahnimptewa