Hopi Pueblo Masau’u Katsina Carving by Ronald Honyouti [SOLD]

Hopi Pueblo artist Ronald Honyouti created an excellent depiction of a Masau'u with this carving. The katsina is leaning over with a basket of piki bread in his hands. He stands on a ground of rocks. The skirt is natural wood with highlights from oil-based stains. From his waist hangs a fox tail with two fringed attachments. The shirt matches the skirt. Over his shoulders, he wears an undecorated cape. Carved feathers adorn his head and plain sticks point upward from his head.

Masau'u accompanies the Soyoko and Soyoko Wuhti Katsinas when they "go house to house to collect food and threaten the children." In his outstanding book Hopi Kachina Tradition: Following the Sun and Moon, Alph Secakuku spells the name of this Katsina "Maasaw" and refers to him as an "Earth god" who represents protection, guidance, moisture, and a bountiful harvest.

In his comprehensive book Kachinas a Hopi Artist's Documentary, Barton Wright provides an excellent description of this Kachina's appearance and function: "Masau'u (Skeleton Kachina) is the only one who does not go home at the Niman Ceremony and thus may dance at any time of the year. The organization of the dance is very much like that of the Niman, with the Masau'u dancing in one line and the Masau'u Mana in the other...As a Death Kachina he does many things by opposites, for the world of the dead is the reverse of this world. Thus, he may come down a ladder backwards or perform many other common actions in reverse. The many-colored splotches on the mask are alluded to as clouds even though the actual face is that of a skull surmounted by Soyal prayer feathers."

Honyouti's Masau'u is enormously alluring. If standing straight, he would measure 9 inches tall. The details are remarkable, as per usual with Honyouti carvings, and it's a treat to see them applied to such a unique and unusual kachina. As far as colors go, he's a bit more muted than other recent works by the artist. The pigments are few and a bit more restrained on this piece. This shift in tone works well—Masau'u is dreamlike and mysterious. The artist's signature is on the underside.

What is a Kachina?

Condition: this Hopi Pueblo Masau'u Katsina Carving by Ronald Honyouti is in very good condition

Provenance: Adobe Gallery purchased this from the carver in 1988 and sold it to a client from whose estate we now have it to offer again.

References:

- Secakuku, Alph. Hopi Kachina Tradition: Following the Sun and Moon

- Wright, Barton. Kachinas: a Hopi Artist's Documentary

TAGS:  Hopi Pueblo, katsina dolls, Brian Honyouti, Lauren Honyouti, Ronald Honyouti