Hopi Pueblo Momo Katsina, Bee Kachina Doll [SOLD]

This Hopi Pueblo carving of the Momo Katsina appears to have been made in the 1950s or perhaps a little earlier. The paint has a matte finish, typical of the paint used in the mid-twentieth century. The doll's body is painted yellow, and he wears a turquoise nugget necklace, leather skirt, concho belt and antlers on his head.

"The bee makes rather casual appearances during the Mixed Kachina Dances or during the night rituals of the Water Serpent Ceremony. He presumably dances among the audience, although how anyone could dance through the tightly packed humanity is hard to imagine. With a tiny bow and miniature arrows, he either threatens to shoot the spectators or actually does hit some of them with the tiny blunt arrows. [Wright,1973:85]

"In impersonating kachinas the Hopi neglect few things in their environment. Insects and reptiles occupy as important a position in the pantheon of spirits as others that might be presumed to be more important. Each, however, has a position and some power or attribute associated with it that makes it an essential kachina. [Wright,1977:116]

What is a Kachina?

Condition: very good condition with the left hand broken and glued.

Provenance: this Hopi Pueblo Momo Katsina, Bee Kachina Doll is from the collection of a client from California

References and Recommended Reading:

- Colton, Harold S. Hopi Kachina Dolls: with a Key to their Identification

- Wright, Barton. KACHINAS A Hopi Artist's Documentary

- Alph H. Secakuku, Following the Sun and Moon: Hopi Kachina Tradition

TAGS: Katsina Dolls, Hopi Pueblo, Hopi Kachina Dolls