Hopi Pueblo Patung Katsina, Squash Kachina Doll by Garfield Nish [SOLD]

This representation of the Squash Katsina was made by a Hopi carver named Garfield Nish, who preferred to use only his last name.  It is an all-wood carving in action mode with embellishment of a vinyl loincloth beautifully painted with a squash blossom. He wears accents of yarn on a leg and arm.  He was probably carrying a squash blossom in his left hand, but it is no longer there.  Also, if there was a squash blossom on the back of his head, it, too, is missing. The lack of these attachments does not detract from this exquisite carving.

In the 1980s, I was purchasing katsina dolls from this carver. Although I did not have a signed contract for exclusive representation with him, I was pretty much his sole buyer. I imagine I purchased this doll from Nish and sold it to my client during that period. It is now for re-sale. 

This Hopi Pueblo Patung Katsina, Squash Kachina Doll by Garfield Nish is a favorite katsina doll for many collectors.  He appears primarily on First Mesa as a runner and may have been derived from Zuni.  He, of course, looks like squash and represents such. Nish carved this one with the body of a young man who is a runner.

What is a Katsina?

Condition: very good condition

Reference: Kachinas: a Hopi Artist’s Documentary by Barton Wright with original paintings by Cliff Bahnimptewa

TAGS: Kachina – Katsina Doll, Hopi Pueblo, Garfield Nish