Zuni Pueblo Antler Carving of a Mudhead Katsina [SOLD]

This Mudhead was carved from deer antler sometime before the 1960s.  The antler was then coated in brown mineral paint and the fetish dressed in a leather skirt and adorned with a waist tie of turquoise, coral and hieshe.  The purpose of fetishes that represent Mudhead Katsinas is not known outside the Pueblo Nations, however, it is likely that they serve the same purpose as animal fetishes, that is, they are pleas by Zuni for special favors.  One would think that a plea to a katsina would be stronger than pleas to an animal fetish.

Condition:  original condition

Provenance: from the personal collection of Alexander E. Anthony, Jr. who purchased it in 1984 at which time it had some age.

Recommended Reading: Zuni Fetishism by Ruth F. Kirk