Hopi Pueblo Ma’alo Katsina circa 1940s [SOLD]

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Once Known Native American Carver

This carving of the Hopi Ma'alo Katsina dates to the 1940s and is in overall good condition for its age. It was carved from cottonwood root and painted with casein paints. The helmet mask is appropriate for the scale of the body. The face is orange on one side and turquoise on the other, with black and white squares as a divider. The torso was beautifully carved with excellent pectorals. The hands were carved nicely. The kilt ends just below the knees in the fashion of older dolls.

The Hopi embroidered wide sash that hangs off the right side was exquisitely painted in fine detail. Layered over the sash in raised form is the black and red sash.

Ma'alo Katsina was one of the most popular of the katsinam in dances around 1900. He was often in the Niman dances along with Hemis, Angak'china, and Kuwan Heheya. He usually appeared with Takursh Mana as his sister, dancing in a separate line alongside him. For some reason, he is not often seen in dances today. This is not unusual in that katsinas appear and disappear from time to time.

This katsina normally appeared as a Niman Katsina on First Mesa and danced at other ceremonies on Second and Third Mesas. He is one of the older traditional Hopi katsinas from the early period of katsina development. He performs a dance that portrays a prayer for rain and good crop yield.


What is a Kachina?

Condition: good condition for its age. Both feet have been glued. Minor paint abrasions.

Provenance: this Hopi Pueblo Ma'alo Katsina circa 1940s is from the collection of a client from California

Reference: KACHINAS A Hopi Artist's Documentary by Barton Wright with original paintings by Cliff Bahnimptewa

TAGS: Katsina DollsHopi PuebloHopi Kachina Dolls

Close-up view of the face of this Katsina Doll.

Once Known Native American Carver
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