Hopi Pueblo Half Clown Katsina Doll [SOLD]

This is a half-clown, half-corn Katsina. An informant from Old Oraibi told us the following in 1992 during a visit:

"The twin war gods were watching over and protecting some Katsinas from bad spirits while the Katsinas were collecting feathers. Lightning came and struck the Katsinas. All the Katsinas were broken up into pieces. The Katsinas were all put back together with medicine from the war gods’ grandmother. All except these two Katsinas who were inadvertently put together and became one Katsina.”

On Third Mesa, he is the Cuku (Clown) Kaihaili Katsina. He is also known as Nah Took Vookeh Katsina.

Condition: The carving is in original condition except for 50 years of dust accumulation. The feathers and yarn are dusty and disheveled, but fit the age of the doll well.

Provenance: From the estate of Transcendental artist Florence Pierce of Albuquerque who passed away in 2007 at the age of 89.