Native American, Southwestern United States, Hopi, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. This a hand-carved cottonwood doll of Koyemsi, the "Mudhead" kachina, featuring his characteristic black and white color scheme and a stylized head. He is assembled from several separate pieces and stands on an attached square wood pedestal that contains a brass plaque with his name. The legs are attached to the underside of the black skirt and the legs, arms cuffs, and torso are painted a dusty pink with areas of black and white stippling. Around his neck is a black felt kerchief and a single feather at his waist. His spherical head has lengthy lips, raised eyes, balls around his brow, and a rod-shaped finial. Koyemsi is a clown figure who organizes games or races to entertain the audience. The mask he wears is traditionally smeared or applied with mud to represent the first primordial lizard-like people that emerged from the earth, coming up through a portal or hole in the kiva dirt floor - hence the muddy appearance. Size: 6" L x 4.5" W x 15.5" H (15.2 cm x 11.4 cm x 39.4 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 in brilliant colors. Originally these were done using yucca brushes. Many katsina are then decorated with other materials, like feathers, cloth, or fur. Katsina dolls are often given objects to hold which indicate their roles.

Provenance: private Arlington, Virginia, USA collection

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#168408

Fair condition. Repaired with arms reattached and left leg, infill to break lines. Stable pressure fissure radiating from head to skirt on front as shown. Staining and discoloration throughout. Minor charred fire damage to spherical forehead piece. Weathering and general signs of age and use. Felt pad added to base for stability. Small brass label on front of stand.