Native American Indian, Southwest, Hopi, ca. 1960 CE. A handsome pair of Hopi kachina (katsina) dolls. First, we have a Hemis Katsina, perhaps the most beautiful and best known of all Hopi Katsinas, known for his elaborate headdress, also called a tableta - signed Robert Johnston '60. The body of the Hemis Katsina is traditionally carved from Cottonwood root and painted with black corn smut and contrasting light colored half moons across his chest as we see in this example. In addition, he wears matching grey arm bands and a white kilt. The tableta is finely painted with abstract phallic symbols. His stylized visage is also captivating. Interestingly, the Hemis appears in the Home Dance or the Niman Ceremony, and neither clown katsinas nor side dancers appear with the line of Hemis, only the Hemis Manas. Size of largest: 2.125" W x 5.5" H (5.4 cm x 14 cm)

Paired with this is a second katsina figure with an abstract dual visage topped by a bird feather, two diffirent arms (one golden yellow and the other aqua blue with claws), red lozenge or phytomorphic forms over his white torso, and stepped motifs adorning his hemline. The details are nicely painted in a palette of yellow ochre, russet brown, black, and white. Lucite stands for photographic purposes only.

Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection

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#149444

Hemis Katsina has had both arms and left arm of tableta reattached with break lines and glue visible. Both feet of Hemis Katsina are missing, as well as light chip to hem of dress. Liberal remains of feather atop other katsina. Otherwise, very nice with excellent remaining pigment.