North America | Arizona
Katsina Doll
Arizona
Carved by Hopi Chief
Wilson Tawaquaptewa, Oraibi (1873-1960)
Carved wood (cottonwood), pigments
Circa 1930
Height: 8 ¼ in. (21 cm)
Ex collection Barry Walsh, USA
Ex private collection, Paris
Published
L’Appel des Kachinas – Katsina Calling, Editions l’Enfance de l’Art, 2024, page 71
Sold
Katsina dolls (or katsinam) represent spirits or gods from the pantheon of the Pueblo peoples in the American Southwest. Given to children, katsina 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 doll is the work of a Hopi master carver, Wilson Tawaquaptewa (1873-1960).
Oraibi chief W. Tawaquaptewa (sometimes spelled Tewaquaptewa) was both a prominent a spiritual and political Hopi leader; he is also celebrated as the greatest Hopi katsina doll carver.
A major exhibition of W. Tawaquaptewa's works was notably presented a few years ago at the Birmingham Museum of Art (Alabama, USA).
The color palette on this doll is typical of this artist's carvings.
This doll is the work of a Hopi master carver, Wilson Tawaquaptewa (1873-1960).
Oraibi chief W. Tawaquaptewa (sometimes spelled Tewaquaptewa) was both a prominent a spiritual and political Hopi leader; he is also celebrated as the greatest Hopi katsina doll carver.
A major exhibition of W. Tawaquaptewa's works was notably presented a few years ago at the Birmingham Museum of Art (Alabama, USA).
The color palette on this doll is typical of this artist's carvings.
Explore the entire collection
