Hopi Pueblo Morning (Talavai) Katsina Doll [SOLD]

Kevin Pochoema surprised me when he recently walked into the gallery with this Morning Katsina (Talavai) doll because I had not seen him in over 15 years.  I used to visit him on the Hopi Reservation in an attempt to purchase katsina dolls from him because I always thought he was probably the best carver on the reservation.  I never succeeded in getting any dolls from him because a dealer from Taos at that time purchased everything he carved.  Now that the Taos dealer is no longer in business, perhaps we will see more of Kevin.  I am pleased to have this Morning Katsina as the first doll from him because it is one of my favorite katsinas.

This Hopi Katsina carving certainly authenticates my opinion of his carving abilities.  It is absolutely magnificent.  The nose and tree were carved separately and added to the basic one-piece carving.  Even the bell in his right hand was carved as part of the hand.  The katsina doll is an absolute jewel of perfection.

According to Barton Wright, the Talavai (Morning) Katsina formerly appeared in pairs on the rooftops and sang songs, waking the people in the village. During the day they would dance with the other katsinas that they led and prompted in the singing. This role is no longer used in any of the villages. They still appear with the other katsinas in the Powamu Ceremony and are most often standing in a set to one side of the main movement of the procession.

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

Condition: new

Provenance: from the artist