Hopi Cottonwood Palhikmana Katsina Doll [R]

The Palhikmana is one of the more spectacular Hopi Katsinas because of the large and elaborate tableta on her head, as well as the rainbow decorations on her chin. She is a maiden with several functions. She may appear in a katsinam function as a Corn Grinding Maiden, or as a Salako Mana in a dance with the Salako Takas, or as a non-katsina in the women’s social dances.

Barton Wright places this katsina in the Night Dances group, which, as he explains, are the dances held in the kivas in January before the arrival of the katsinas to Bean Dance in February. He states that at Third Mesa, puppet dances in the kiva feature the Salako and Palhikmana with the Water Serpent, but this is not done at First or Second Mesas. In these puppet dances, the Palhikmana is the maiden who grinds corn.

The carving of this doll is exceptional. The body proportions are well illustrated and the painting of the clothing is as fine as one could expect. The tableta is beautifully designed and painted. Overall, the doll is well above average. It is very impressive.  The doll measures 13-1/2” tall and is attached to a pedestal that elevates it to 18-5/8” overall.  The pedestal is beautifully designed with a frog’s head jutting out from the wood.

The base is signed with the name Nuvahongnaya and what appears to be Walles.  The carving dates to around 2005 but it is not dated.

Condition: original condition

Provenance:  from the collection of an Albuquerque source

Recommended Reading: Kachinas a Hopi Artist’s Documentary by Barton Wright