Na-uikuitaka (Peeping Out Man) Katsina Doll, circa early 1940s [SOLD]

This carving has all the attributes of an early 1940s doll. The style of the hands in a closed position is typical of that era. The paints appear to be of a watercolor origin, not acrylic. The face is divided into two bands-blue and white. The name of this katsina derives from the appearance that his eyes are peeping out over the top of his lower face. The body, from top to bottom is from a single section of cottonwood root. The arms, snout, ears, sash, and foxtail were probably glued in place. He wears minimal adornments: the feather on his head and the painted nugget turquoise necklace are the sole ones.

Many katsinas are borrowed from one pueblo and adopted into another. The Hopi borrow katsinas from the Rio Grande pueblos and the Rio Grande pueblos borrow katsinas from the Hopi. Usually this occurs because a particular katsina from another pueblo is believed to or has proven to be efficacious in producing rain or carrying out its other attributes.

Oftentimes, these borrowed katsinas become permanent members of the adopted society and sometimes, if they seem to fail in their expected duties, they are short lived at the new pueblo. Often, they become modified in appearance or functions as time passes to make them more like the katsinas in their adopted pueblo. It is believed that this katsina was an import from Santo Domingo (Kewa) Pueblo.

Peeping Out Man seems to have succeeded in becoming a permanent katsina at Hopi. He is a fairly common dancer now and appears in the Mixed Katsina Dances, in regular Plaza Dances, and at times in the Night Dances. He apparently has proven his worth to the Hopi.

What is a Kachina?

Condition: very good condition. It appears that the fox tail on the back separated from the body and was glued back in place. There is minor paint abrasion

Provenance: this Na-uikuitaka (Peeping Out Man) Katsina Doll, circa early 1940s is from the collection of a client from California

Reference: Hopi Kachinas: The Complete Guide to Collecting Kachina Dolls by Barton Wright

TAGS: Hopi Pueblo, Katsina Dolls