Old West & Native American Auction
Lot 1022:
Description
Trio of carved and painted Kachina dolls of the Pueblo peoples of the Southwest. 1) Talavai (Early Morning Singer) Kachina dated 1970. Hopi Morning Singers, (Talavai Kachinas) used to appear in pairs on the rooftops and sing songs, waking the Hopi people in the village. This kachina features vibrant design predominantly red and white with a turquoise mask and has feathers and yarn a white shawl is draped over its shoulders and it clutches a handful of white and black feathers in each hand one leg is painted teal while the other is yellow. Written on the base of its feet: “Talavai Kachina (Early Morning Singer) 1970” Feet are repaired. Dimensions: 8.5”x4.5”x3”. 2) Matia (Hand) Kachina dated 1920. This figure has a human hand-painted on its face, on which account it is called Matia, or Hand kachina. Another designation, Talakin, refers to the girl who follows, stirring the contents of a cooking pot that Matia carries on his back. He is said to appear in the foot races. A being with the figure of a hand on the face also occurs in Zuni dances. This is a stylized cylindrical doll. Its face has a yellow handprint on it. Dressed in white with yellow & red shirt. Red boots with yellow leggings. Yarn emerges from back and top of head. Written “hand mark kachina 1920” (under skirt). Dimensions: 8.5”x4”x2.5”. 3) Hania (Bear) Kachina dated 1970. Very powerful, capable of curing bad illnesses, and a great warriors They are frequently distinguished only by color, such as white, black, blue, or yellow. The bear dances as a watchman or side dancer during the Soyal Dance, and he sings while dancing outside the lines during the Mixed Dance. His most distinctive feature is a bear footprint on both cheeks. This is the largest and most elaborate of the three kachinas. It features bear claw designs on its skirt and is edged in yellow and blue green. Its head has feathers and fur. It clutches a knife and object in both hands. It has bracelets and leather accents on its chest, legs and ankles. Written on the bottom of the feet: “1970 Hania (bear) Kachina” Feet have been repaired. Dimensions: 11”x5”x5”. See photos.
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