Hopi Pueblo Kweo Katsina, Wolf Kachina Doll by Ronald Honyouti [SOLD]

Ronald Honyouti created an excellent version of the Kweo (Wolf) Katsina in this one-piece wood carving. He stands on a rocky ledge with his right foot on a higher rock while leaning slightly forward with both hands on the ceremonial staff. His head is angled upwards as he has spotted something above. His tongue hangs out. The head was carved to represent the animal's hair.

Around his waist, he wears a skirt of dyed horsehair, held in place with a turquoise sash. A long, woven sash serves as a loin cloth. Across his chest is a bandolier of thin leather strips, accompanied by a heishi necklace and a turquoise jacla.

The Wolf Katsina appears with other animal katsinas, serving in the function of a guard. He dances in line with the other katsinam, but then at times will leave the line and move to the fringes of the dance arena, ensuring that nothing is bothering the other katsinas. All animal dances are prayers for rain and an abundance of game animals.

"Ronald Honyouti [b. 1955] is a top award-winning carver from a family of talented artists. He lives in the rhythm of Hopi life. ‘I get up in the morning, go over to my mom's, go to the fields and take care of my corn, beans, and melons and then get to carving.'"

"Upon winning the 1985 SWAIA Fellowship, the Indian Market producers stated: ‘Ronald Honyouti's kachinas are carved from a single piece of cottonwood root and lightly painted with oils and stains. The natural grain of wood shows through and gives them a sense of underlying motion and grace.'" Ronald Honyouti of Hopi Pueblo learned carving from his father Clyde Honyouti. Two of his 4 brothers were carvers of Katsina's: Lauren Honyouti and Brian Honyouti. Brian is now deceased.

Condition: this Hopi Pueblo Kweo Katsina, Wolf Kachina Doll 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.

Recommended Reading: Walsh, Barry. "The Great Tradition of Hopi Katsina Carvers 1880 to Present", Rio Nuevo Publishers, 2019.

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