Native American, Southwestern United States, Zuni, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. An incredible antique kachina doll of a buffalo (Siwolo), carved from wood and covered with fur, feathers, leather waist cloths, and jewelry. This kachina is certainly an older example with great signs of age to the fur and wood, and the hands hold a rattle and zigzag spear or staff that evokes lightening. The wood body is relatively minimal- but the face has a wonderful naturalistic snout and the use of beads, nacre shell, colored feathers, and silver concha discs add great interest to the figure. Size: 5" L x 24" H (12.7 cm x 61 cm)

Compare to other early Kachina figures in The Museum of Fine Arts, Houstan collection, object number: 44.438.

The Katsinam, supernatural beings who live in the high mountains, speaking 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.

Please note this item falls under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and is not eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.

Please note this item falls under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and is not eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.

Provenance: private Don Phelps collection, owner Todos Santos Trading Post, Alamo, California, USA, before 2000

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#179763

Losses to fur on hide, and some bednign to feathers. Fraying and small holes to leather and cotton cloth. Staining and discoloration. Overall excellent condition with intact implements.