Very Small Hopi Kahaila Katsina Doll [SOLD]

This katsina, sometimes call the Mak Katsina, is considered to be an import from Laguna Pueblo to the Hopi Mesas. This katsina was illustrated by Jesse Walter Fewkes in Plate XLVII of his publication Hopi Kachinas but Fewkes referred to him as Kwacas Alex Taka, which translates to "eagle feathers erect man" which is based on the two erect feathers on the head, which this doll is missing.

Fred Kabotie, famous Hopi artist, illustrated a pair of this katsina in his 1938 watercolor painting Hunting Dance from Laguna. The katsina is sometimes referred to at Hopi as a Hunter Katsina.

The katsina doll is painted with turquoise mineral paint on the face and moccasins. The white skirt appears to be mineral paint as well. The red could be aniline paint. The katsina doll probably dates to no later than the 1950s. 

Condition: both feet have been broken off at the toes and glued back in place.  The paint is worn and water damaged

Recommended Reading: Kachinas: A Hopi Artist's Documentary by Barton Wright, Northland Press, 1973.

Provenance: from the extensive collection of a Santa Fe resident who has unfortunately moved to another city and found it necessary to greatly reduce her collection.