Native American, Southwest, Hopi, signed by Neil Gashweseoma, ca. 1973. A hand-carved and hand-painted wooden kachina (also katsina) doll, with a label identifying the artist Neil Gashweseoma on the underside of the base. Dolls like this example depict kachina dancers who represent the supernatural katsinam beings they embody. Plaza Dances may be either Mixed Katsina Dances (Soyohim) in which dancers representing all the different types of katsinas attending, or a dance that includes only katsinas of the same type. Regardless, in addition to bringing about rain and fertility, all of the katsinas have a distinct purpose. This example is a Broadface Kachina doll presenting with characteristically bulging eyes, pronounced ears, a decorative diamond motif band over the face with an extending red tongue over his long beard, a colorful garment with a broad sash, body paint, and fringed boots. Size: 15.5" H (39.4 cm); 16.25" H (41.3 cm) on included custom stand.

In addition, he carries yucca whips in order to enforce cleaning in the community, and is highly decorated with bird feathers, a fur collar, a red fabric sash, arm cuffs, as well as yarn and feather ornaments.

The Katsinam, supernatural beings who live in the high mountains of the San Francisco Peaks above traditional Hopi territory, speak to the Hopi through costumed dance and song. These dancers emerge from the round ceremonial kivas that are at the center of their communities, singly or in groups, and dance to the music of drums, rattles, and song. Katsina figures (katsina dolls, katsin-tihu), traditionally made of cottonwood root, are made to represent these supernatural entities. Cottonwood is culturally symbolic because the cottonwood tree, once abundant in traditional Hopi lands, grows where water flows - thus, looking across a landscape, lines of cottonwood trees denote a water source in the desert. After carving, the figures are painted all over with whitewash, made from kaolin clay, and then painted in brilliant colors. Originally these were done using yucca brushes. Many of them are then decorated with other materials, like feathers, cloth, or fur. Katsina dolls are often given objects to hold which indicate their roles.

Accompanied by ribbon for special award at the "Centuries of Antiques" show at the Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim, California (August 17-19, 1973).

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#148587

Kachina doll form is intact. Label with name of artist, Neil Gashweseoma, on underside of the base. Some adhesive residue on beard. Expected wear and loss to attached yarn and feather ornaments. Accompanied by ribbon for special award at the "Centuries of Antiques" show at the Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim, California (August 17-19, 1973).