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Katsina doll
New Mexico
Hemushikwe Katsina – Sky spirit Katsina doll
Zuni
Circa 1920
Carved wood, fibers and pigments
Height: 45 cm – 17 ¾ in.
Provenance
Ex Bonhams, Native American Art, 4 Dec. 2017, lot 23
Ex collection Donald Ellis, Canada, inv. # S4289-23
Exhibition
TEFAF, Maastricht, March 2018, Donald Ellis
Sold
Katsina dolls (or kachina) represent spirits or gods from the pantheon of the Pueblo peoples in the American Southwest. Given to children, Katsina dolls constituted a teaching tool allowing them to familiarize themselves with the spiritual world and perpetuating knowledge of the founding myths on which their society was based.
This Katsina figure represents Hemushikwe, a Zuni celestial spirit. As indicated by the Brooklyn Museum of Art, which presents a similar example in its collections, Hemushikwe appears on the last day of the Shalako ceremonies at the time of the winter solstice. The performance includes six Hemushikwe dancers, one for each kiva.
The mask of this Katsina spirit contains symbols and colors associated with clouds, rain, and fertility. The colors and symbols on the elaborate tableta relate to the sky or sky elements. The front side features a remarkable rainbow figure flanked by celestial motifs, while the reverse side contains a crescent moon and stars. The three lobes of the tableta likely symbolize clouds. By contrast, Hemushikwe's body paint and dance costume refer to earth elements.
This Katsina figure represents Hemushikwe, a Zuni celestial spirit. As indicated by the Brooklyn Museum of Art, which presents a similar example in its collections, Hemushikwe appears on the last day of the Shalako ceremonies at the time of the winter solstice. The performance includes six Hemushikwe dancers, one for each kiva.
The mask of this Katsina spirit contains symbols and colors associated with clouds, rain, and fertility. The colors and symbols on the elaborate tableta relate to the sky or sky elements. The front side features a remarkable rainbow figure flanked by celestial motifs, while the reverse side contains a crescent moon and stars. The three lobes of the tableta likely symbolize clouds. By contrast, Hemushikwe's body paint and dance costume refer to earth elements.
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