Hopi Cottonwood Sio Hemis Katsina Doll [SOLD]

The Hemis and Sio Hemis Katsinas are probably the most beautiful and best known of all Hopi Katsinas. Their elaborate headdress, called a tableta, is partly responsible for their attraction. They both wear a kilt, and around the waist a Hopi embroidered sash.

The Sio Hemis Katsina is an import at Hopi from Zuni Pueblo, probably in the 1890s.  He may substitute for the traditional Hopi Hemis during the Niman Ceremony of mid-July.  There is very little difference between the Hemis and Sio Hemis except for the decoration of the tableta.  The Hopi Hemis has towering clouds and rain depicted on the tableta, while the Sio Hemis has dragonflies and sunflowers with smaller clouds at the top.

This carving is probably from the 1930s or early 1940s based on having been painted with tempera paints rather than acrylic paints. We have shown the back of the katsina doll with feathers that were originally on the doll, which, unfortunately, had to be removed in accordance with federal regulations.  We wished to photographically record the doll as it originally existed.

Condition: very good condition

Recommended Reading: Kachinas a Hopi Artist’s Documentary by Barton Wright with original paintings by Cliff Bahnimptewa

Provenance: from an estate collection from Texas