Hopi Pueblo Masau’u Kachina Carving by Kevin Pochoema [SOLD]

Hopi Pueblo artist Kevin Pochoema created an excellent depiction of a Masau’u with this Katsina doll carving.  Pochoema said that Masau’u accompanies the Soyoko and Soyoko Wuhti Katsinas when they “go house to house to collect food and threaten the children.”  In his outstanding book Hopi Kachina Tradition: Following the Sun and Moon, Alph Secakuku spells the name of this Katsina “Maasaw” and refers to him as an “Earth god” who represents protection, guidance, moisture, and a bountiful harvest. 

In his comprehensive book Kachinas a Hopi Artist’s Documentary, Barton Wright provides an excellent description of this Kachina’s appearance and function: “Masau’u (Skeleton Kachina) is the only one who does not go home at the Niman Ceremony and thus may dance at any time of the year.  The organization of the dance is very much like that of the Niman, with the Masau’u dancing in one line and the Masau’u Mana in the other...As a Death Kachina he does many things by opposites, for the world of the dead is the reverse of this world. Thus he may come down a ladder backwards or perform many other common actions in reverse.  The many colored splotches on the mask are alluded to as clouds even though the actual face is that of a skull surmounted by Soyal prayer feathers.”

Pochoema’s Masau’u is enormously alluring.  At just under eleven inches tall, he’s of a smaller size than the gigantic pieces that Pochoema has produced recently.  The deer antler and rattle were added to the carving; the rest, including the tall headpiece, is all one piece of wood. The details are remarkable, as per usual, and it’s a treat to see them applied to such a unique and unusual kachina.  As far as colors go, he’s a bit more muted than other recent works by the artist. He’s smoky, almost—it feels as if everything here is touched with a gray mist. It’s not just the wood; it’s the acrylic paints, too, that are a bit more restrained on this piece.  This shift in tone works well—Masau’u is dreamlike and mysterious.

Pochoema created another excellent base for this carving.  Here, he included the masks of five other kachinas. They are Piki Sona, Koyemsi, Heheya, Cold Bringing Woman, and Soyok Wuhti.  Each of their masks is accurately detailed. Cold Bringing Woman and Soyok Wuhti each hold staffs. Rounding out the circle of kachinas is a single cliff dwelling, which is similar to those we’ve seen on the bases of Pochoema’s recent works.  On the base, between Masau’u’s feet, the artist signed “Pochoema”.

Kevin Pochoema (1965- ) is a Hopi Pueblo Katsina doll carver.  Pochoema was born in Flagstaff, Arizona on February 2, 1965.  At one point, he lived in the Hopi village of Bacavi on Third Mesa. Pochoema now resides just outside Santa Fe, New Mexico.  He is a member of the Greasewood clan. His works have been featured prominently in numerous books about Hopi carvings and are included in many prominent public and private collections.  He has received prestigious awards and accolades for his works.

Condition: this Hopi Pueblo Masau'u Kachina Carving by Kevin Pochoema is in new condition

Provenance: directly from the artist Kevin Pochoema

Recommended Reading: Kachinas: A Hopi Artist’s Documentary by Barton Wright

Relative Links: Hopi Pueblo,  Kachina - Katsina Doll, Kevin Pochoema