Hopi 2nd Mesa Coiled Plaque with Salako Katsina Design [SOLD]

The Hopi Salako Katsinas—male and female—appear during the Salako Ceremony, a ceremony that is held very infrequently, maybe every decade or so.  The katsinas are brought into position by Eototo and Hahai-i-Wuhti, and specific locations are marked as circles of cornmeal by Eototo.  The male and female Salako Katsinas rest in these circles bowing and dipping until beckoned to another set of circles by Hahai-i-Wuhti.  They advance one at a time to their new positions. 

Sotuknongu and the Tukwinong with their ceremonial gourds of water and trays of varicolored cornmeal flank the pair.  The basic intent is probably that of bringing the cloud supernaturals to the Hopi mesas and causing them to remain in the general vicinity of the villages and fields of the tribal lands.  Wright 1973

The design on this plaque appears to be that of the Salako Katsina—male or female.  The central part of the plaque is the face of the katsina and the varicolored coils above the face represent the elaborate tableta the katsina wears.  The black and rust rows of coils near the face represent earrings, the multi-colored chin is the rainbow chin of the katsina, and the black and white squares represent the feathered front of the katsina.

The plaque dates to the 1980s and is in excellent condition.  It has a loop on the back to facilitate hanging, if desired.

Condition: excellent original condition

Reference: Kachinas – a Hopi Artist’s Documentary by Barton Wright with Original Paintings by Cliff Bahnimptewa.

Recommended Reading: Hopi Basket Weaving – Artistry in Natural Fibers by Helga Teiwes

Provenance: from the collection of a gentleman from Colorado who purchased Native arts and crafts while living in Albuquerque in the 1970s and 1980s.