Brian Honyouti (Native American, Hopi Pueblo, 1947-2016). Wood and paint. Hand-signed and dated "B. Honyouti 83" in pigment by artist on base. A wonderful wooden statue of 2 people pleading with a kachina spirit. Wielding a knife in his right hand, the kachina stands on bent legs and grasps the hand and arm of a person who kneels before him as though pleading. The indigenous spirit wears an elaborate, black helmet mask with projecting eyes, large, red ears pierced with spikes, a protruding snout, and a gritted jaw with jagged teeth, all capped with wooden feathers and fiber strands of black hair. His body is dressed in a tan cape, a colorful loincloth, an armband, a bracelet, fringed knee adornments, and leather boots. Another person wearing pigtails and a loincloth watches the interaction, as they sit to the side with knees drawn up before them. Size: 4.6" W x 6.3" H (11.7 cm x 16 cm)

The Katsinam, supernatural beings who live in the high mountains of the San Francisco Peaks above traditional Hopi territory, speak to the Hopi through costumed dance and song. These dancers emerge from the round ceremonial kivas that are at the center of their communities, singly or in groups, and dance to the music of drums, rattles, and song. Katsina figures (katsina dolls, katsin-tihu), are made of cottonwood root to represent these supernatural beings. Cottonwood is culturally symbolic because the cottonwood tree, once abundant in traditional Hopi lands, grows where water flows - thus, looking across a landscape, lines of cottonwood trees denote a water source in the desert. After carving, the figures are painted all over with whitewash, made from kaolin clay, and then painted with other colors.

Brian Honyouti was one of 3 famous Hopi brothers - the others being Loren and Ronald Honyouti - who often carved together. Originally from Bacavi, Arizona, the Honyoutis are featured in many books on Hopi carving, including "Kachina Dolls" by Helga Tiewes and "The Art of the Hopi" by Jerry and Lois Jacka. Brian began carving the mid-1960s and is the first carver to use wood preservatives and varnish as a sealer, instead of the usual white undercoat.

Provenance: private Lumberton, Texas, USA collection, acquired before 2010

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#169601

Losses to 1 pigtail of each seated figure. Expected nicks and abrasions throughout, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with nice pigments.