Sivi-i-quil Taka (Pot Carrier Man) Katsina Doll [SOLD]

When I was actively purchasing katsina dolls from the Honyouti brothers in the 1980s and 1990s, Brian Honyouti was seriously involved in running a school for the children of his village of Bacavi. He founded the school, was the teacher, and was the principal. He was a strong advocate of education. He, himself, had obtained a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Arizona in 1971.

Honyouti had started carving katsina dolls in the 1960s after graduating from high school. He helped his dad paint his dolls and learned to carve his own at that time. According to Helga Teiwes, he was the first carver to use wood preservers and wood sealers as an undercoat for the carvings. She said he was also the first to substitute wood preserver for paint and to use oil paints in lieu of acrylic paints. These innovations provided a mellow tone to his carvings rather than the shiny gloss of acrylics.

According to Barton Wright, this katsina is one of many names. He may be called Matya, Malatsmo, Malachpeta, Matyso or Sivu-i-kil Taka. A different name signifies a different function, although the appearance of the katsina is the same. He is sometimes referred to as the Hand Katsina, reflecting the hand on his face. He also may be known as the Pot Carrier, because of the pot on his back.

The basic carving is from a single piece of cottonwood root. The earrings worn by this katsina are the tassels from the Hopi wedding robe. The earrings, rattle and staff may be added features, but the remainder of the carving appears to be from a single piece of wood.

Provenance: I purchased this carving directly from Brian Honyouti in the mid-1980s and sold it to a client who has now asked me to re-sell it. It has been in his collection only.

References:
Kachina Dolls: The Art of Hopi Carvers by Helga Teiwes. University of Arizona Press. Tucson 1998.