Polychrome Canteen with Pahlik Mana Katsina Mask [SOLD]

This is an extraordinary Hopi-Tewa canteen in excellent condition. It has a full-face representation of a Pahlik Mana Katsina on the front. This is a design frequently seen on the interior of Polacca Polychrome bowls from the mid 1800s. The back of the canteen is red slipped. Separating the front and back is a pair of framing lines, both of which exhibit a ceremonial break.

There is some minor loss of slip and paint on the front and there was a paper label just below the mouth of the katsina that has marred the slip slightly. The overall condition of the canteen is very good. There has been no repair or restoration.

Canteens of this size were used by the men to carry drinking water to the fields when they were there working.

Provenance: This Polychrome Canteen with Pahlik Mana Katsina Mask was shown in the exhibit Pueblo and Diné (Navajo) Canteens May 1, 2007 until May 31, 2007 presented at adobe gallery Santa fe.