Hopi Marao Katsina Doll, circa 1950s [SOLD]

The Marao Katsina “may derive from the fact that the headdress he wears is the same as the one appearing on the Mamzrau, the participants in an important women’s ceremony.  Despite the name, the kachina is dressed in a style much closer to that of the Navajo Kachinas than anyone else.  He appears in Plaza Dances in late spring.  There are several varieties of this kachina present on the mesas, but there does not seem to be any variation in naming.”  [Wright 1973]

This katsina doll is exceptionally well made.  The body proportions are true to scale and the mask is elaborate in finish.  Feathers on the back of the mask are all carved from wood, an early example of wood-carved feathers.  The tripod headdress he wears is the same as that worn by the performer in the Mamzrau.  His bandolier across his chest consists of small metal discs on leather.  The concha belt is similarly constructed. 

Condition: the Hopi Pueblo katsina doll is in very good condition with the exception of some loss of paint, mostly around the mask area, and a repair to the right arm at the elbow.

Provenance: from a family in Oregon to whom we sold this doll in 1983.

Recommended Reading: Kachinas: a Hopi Artist’s Documentary by Barton Wright with original paintings by Cliff Bahnimptewa.  This book is currently not available from Adobe Gallery