Hopi Sikyahote - Yellow A’hote Katsina Doll [SOLD]

According to Barton Wright, "A'hote may appear in any of the directional colors but the two most common colors are the yellow A'hote (Sikyahote) or the blue A'hote (Sakwahote). In a Plaza Dance it is not unusual to see a line of Sakwahote with several Sikyahote, and a white or red form as well." A'hote may appear in Mixed Katsina Dances or the Palölökong Dances as well as Plaza Dances.

This Katsina doll dates to circa 1940s.  The mask has protruding eyes and snout and has multi-color chevron designs.  Protruding red ears have feathers pointing forward and a grass headband is wrapped around the top of the mask.  A fur ruff surrounds the neck.  The Kachina doll has a painted concha belt and a carved fox tail suspended from the back of the skirt.  The doll is equipped with a string around its neck to facilitate displaying by hanging although it stands unaided as well.

Condition: both arms have previously been broken at the elbows and repaired.  The left foot has been broken off at the front and repaired.  The repairs are barely visible.

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.

Provenance: from a family collection in Santa Fe