Historic Tall Mojave Male Pottery Figurine [SOLD]

Archaeological records are relatively rare concerning Mojave pottery as the custom has been to destroy everything associated with the dead, sometimes being cremated with the dead.  The earliest known collected figurine was in 1854 but no record of its use or intended use was documented.  There is no documentation before the beginning of the 20^th century on doll figurines.  In the beginning of the 20^th century, Mojave girls were observed playing with pottery dolls but they did not have clothing or beadwork.

After the train arrived in Needles, California, in 1883, Mojave women began selling wood and souvenir ceramics to the tourists who had a 40-minute layover at the train depot.  The now famous Mojave clay dolls began making an appearance at that time.  Generally, the dolls are painted in ochre with body and facial tattoos similar to those worn by the Mojave men and women.  Appropriate tattoos placed on the dolls were gender specific.

This Mojave doll is a male with elaborate body and facial tattoos.  He wears a red fabric loin cloth that is brought up to the waist and secured with a rope belt over which the excess cloth hangs down in front and back.  The red fabric was decorated with polka dots of brown paint.  Horse hair is secured in a hole in the head and drops down in bangs over the forehead and down the back almost to the knee bend.  A twisted grass headband secures the hair in place.  Beads form a necklace and drop earrings.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: from the collection of Chuck and Jan Rosenak, collectors of Native American art and authors of books on Navajo folk art.

Recommended Reading:  Mojave Pottery, Mojave People: The Dillingham Collection of Mojave Ceramics by Furst and Furst