Hopi Ma’alo Katsina Doll, circa 1930s [SOLD]

Ma'alo Katsina was one of the most popular of the katsinam in dances around 1900. He was often in the Niman dances along with Hemis, Angak'china and Kuwan Heheya. He usually appeared with Takursh Mana as his sister, dancing in a separate line alongside him. For some reason, he is not often seen in dances today. This is not unusual in that katsinas appear and disappear from time to time.

This carving is from a single piece of cottonwood root, as is traditional. The only additions would be the ear and the snout. The short legs, long torso, arms tucked into the body and the larger head are typical of dolls from the 1930s. Feathers on top of the head were secured by drilling a hole and inserting them into the wood, a very early technique. Feathers secured on the left of the face are no longer there, having been removed in accordance with federal regulations.

Condition: remarkable condition for a doll of this age.  There is some abrasion to paint and the left foot is broken and missing.

Recommended Reading:  Kachinas a Hopi Artist Documentary by Barton Wright with Original Paintings by Cliff Bahnimptewa

Provenance: from the collection of a family from Santa Fe which purchased it from Kania-Ferrin Gallery on Canyon Road in Santa Fe in the 1980s.