Walter Howato Carving of a Hopi Deity [SOLD]

Hopi Pueblo artist Walter Howato was an interesting man who made interesting carvings of katsinas and Hopi deities. His carvings are not always recognizable as a specific representation of a Hopi figure, but generally can be identified as likely who he was representing. It is our opinion that this carving represents one of the Hopi Little War Gods-Pö-ökang-Hoya or Palö-ngao-Hoya. Neither of these is pictured in any references, so it is difficult to determine which deity this carving represents.

The two Little War Gods are grandsons of the Spider Woman. "They mingle with the people and play tricks on them, but if the people are in trouble, they appeal to their wise grandmother who shows them how to outwit evil. They are sometimes impersonated and the people who take part in the ceremonies keep images of them in their houses. They are not associated with any particular ceremony, but may appear in several, nor are they impersonated by members of any particular society or clan, but by anyone who is selected. Both war gods are depicted as young boys, yet as warriors. Both wear warrior marks on their cheeks." [Colton, 1959:81]

Walter made his carvings appear to be ancient, but they were contemporary. His application of pigments was his way to artificially add age to his works. This carving of a war god is typical of his "antique" carvings. It appears to be a hundred years old but is not. Walter was the only carver of the time to make dolls of this style.

Walter Howato (1921-2003) had been a student at the Santa Fe Indian School. After graduating, he went to work for Walt Disney Studios as a painter. After his time with Disney, Walter returned to the Hopi reservation for a spell, but then went to work as a heavy equipment operator with several venues. Eventually, he lived in Denver. It was while living in Denver, that Adobe Gallery established a relationship with Walter. He would drive down to Albuquerque and sell dolls to the gallery. This particular carving we are posting was purchased by Adobe Gallery on 19 March 1987, and, interestingly, sold to a client living in Denver. We do not know where it has been since 1987, but it is our pleasure to have it now return to us.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: this Walter Howato Carving of a Hopi Deity is from the collection of a client of the gallery

Recommended Reading: The Great Tradition of Hopi Katsina Carvers 1880 to Present by Barry Walsh

TAGS: Hopi Pueblo, R.C. Gorman,  San Ildefonso Pueblo, Katsina dolls, Jimmy Koots, Romando Vigil, Tse Ye Mu, Manfred Susunkewa, Jimmy Kewanwytewa (Jimmy K), Walter Howato