Hopi Hehey’a Katsina Doll, circa 1930 [SOLD]

Hehey’akatsina accompanies the Ogre Katsinas when they gather food, and is a relative of theirs, but he, himself, is not an Ogre. He also is a messenger to the rain gods, as depicted by the symbols on his face. This version of Hehey’akatsina is the Uncle who dances alongside, guarding the other dancers.

According to Alph Secakuku, “He also talks ‘backwards.’ If he says ‘the dance was not a good entertainment,’ he actually means that the dance was perfect.”

This carving is a one-piece work of art. The ears are the only additions to the original piece of cottonwood. He carries a watermelon in his hands and a basket of fruit on his back. A piece of white wool serves as his hair.

I believe this carving dates to pre-World War II, possibly to the 1930s. It is in very good condition with the expected amount of paint abrasion and no wood damage.