Mojave Pottery Male Figurine with Clasped Arms [SOLD]

C4127i-figure.jpg

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Artist Unknown
  • Category: Figurines
  • Origin: Mojave Tribe
  • Medium: clay, paint, fabric, hair, beads
  • Size: 11” tall
  • Item # C4127i
  • SOLD

Archaeological records are relatively rare concerning Mojave pottery as the custom has been to destroy everything associated with the dead, sometimes being cremated with the dead.  The earliest known collected figurine was in 1854 but no record of its use or intended use was documented.  There is no documentation before the beginning of the 20th century on doll figurines.  In the beginning of the 20th century, Mojave girls were observed playing with pottery dolls but they did not have clothing or beadwork.

After the train arrived in Needles, California, in 1883, Mojave women began selling wood and souvenir ceramics to the tourists who had a 40-minute layover at the train depot.  The now famous Mojave clay dolls began making an appearance at that time.  Generally, the dolls are painted in ochre with body and facial tattoos similar to those worn by the Mojave men and women.  Appropriate tattoos placed on the dolls were gender specific.

This Mojave doll is a male with elaborate body and facial tattoos.  He wears a red fabric loin cloth that is brought up to the waist and secured with a rope belt over which the excess cloth hangs down in front and back.  The red fabric was decorated with polka dots of brown paint.  Horse hair is secured in a hole in the head and drops down in bangs over the forehead and down the back almost to the knee bend.  A twisted grass headband secures the hair in place.  Beads form a necklace and drop earrings.  The figurine appears to be from the early twentieth century and is one with a matching female of similar style (see our Item Number C4127F and the image below). The doll is provided with a metal stand for stability.

 

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance:  from the estate of Henry Christensen III of New York who had purchased it from Adobe Gallery in 2013.  Adobe Gallery had previously purchased it from the Chuck and Jan Rosenak folk art collection.

Recommended Reading:  Mojave Pottery, Mojave People: The Dillingham Collection of Mojave Ceramics by Furst and Furst

The figurine appears to be from the early twentieth century and is one with a matching female of similar style (see our Item Number C4127F).

Artist Unknown
  • Category: Figurines
  • Origin: Mojave Tribe
  • Medium: clay, paint, fabric, hair, beads
  • Size: 11” tall
  • Item # C4127i
  • SOLD

C4127i-figure.jpgC4127i-large.jpg Click on image to view larger.