North America | Arizona
Kachina Doll
Arizona
Qöqöle Katsina
Hopi
Circa 1900-1920
Carved wood (cottonwood root) and pigments
Height: 14 cm – 5 ½ in.
Provenance
Ex collection John Molloy, Santa Fe
Ex private collection, New York
Qöqöle Kachina doll 14 cm / Galerie Flak
Price on request
Kachina dolls (or katsinam) represent spirits or gods from the pantheon of the Pueblo peoples in the American Southwest. Given to children, kachina dolls constituted a pedagogical 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 spirit performs various functions. First and foremost, he is associated with crops; Qöqöle is said to practice agriculture as an art. He notably appears during Powamu ceremonies.
He is also a great storyteller, occasionally capable of pranks like the Clown Kachinas. Finally, during his dances, he is often seen offering presents to children while promising good harvests. By analogy, this spirit has often been described as the Santa Claus Katsina!
This Katsina spirit performs various functions. First and foremost, he is associated with crops; Qöqöle is said to practice agriculture as an art. He notably appears during Powamu ceremonies.
He is also a great storyteller, occasionally capable of pranks like the Clown Kachinas. Finally, during his dances, he is often seen offering presents to children while promising good harvests. By analogy, this spirit has often been described as the Santa Claus Katsina!
Explore the entire collection
