Hopi Pueblo Ma’alo Katsina Doll

This katsina doll was among a group of 23 Hopi katsina dolls which had once been in the Fred Harvey Advertising Department's collection, but it is the only one of the group that did not have traits of older dolls, so it is not known if this actually came from the Fred Harvey collection or not. It appears to date to the 1960s.

The doll is supported on an unpainted pedestal but not of the type associated with other Fred Harvey mounts. If this was part of the collection of the Fred Harvey Advertising Department, then it is possible that the company ceased using the square black pedestals by this time.

The doll was well carved and painted. There is a red fabric sash across his chest, red yarn on his right wrist and left side of the mask. The right "ear" is missing a section and the left arm has been broken and glued.

Condition: the right “ear” is missing a section and the left arm has been broken and glued.

Provenance: this Hopi Pueblo Ma'alo Katsina Doll is the collection of a resident of Washington

Recommended Reading: Wright, Barton. Hopi Kachinas: The Complete Guide to Collecting Kachina Dolls, Northland Publishing 1977

TAGS: Katsina Dolls, Hopi Pueblo, Hopi Kachina Dolls, Fred Harvey Company

What is a Katsina?