Hopi Qaletaqa Kachina, c.1890

Item: UOA1112
Material: cottonwood
Size: 13" x 5" x 3"
Period: Historic
Origin: Hopi Pueblo

This is a traditionally made Hopi Kachina doll carved from cottonwood root and painted with white kaolin clay as well as commercial paints with the unusual addition of handmade clothing and accoutrement. This style of doll was produced by Hopi carvers at the Diablo Canyon Trading post under the patronage of the post owner Fredrick Volz (1856-1913) during the late 19th century. Volz was a buyer for Fred Harvey and purchased nearly 400 dolls for him in the period. Many of these dolls were then acquired by The NY Museum of Natural History, The Field Museum among many others. Unlike most Hopi Kachina dolls Volz style dolls are dressed in hand made clothing. This kachina doll is wearing a faded gray kilt with black bottom border and red, brown and black striped, fringed cloth sash, body painted with double line motif, wearing red cloth leggings and black painted moccasins, while linen cape tied at neck, case mask with black band along bottom border and repeated double horizontal line motif around crown, slit eyes, protruding split beak with red and black painted decoration, red ear ornaments. Provenance: Frederick William Volz, Canyon Diablo Trading Post The Fred Harvey Company Robert Stevens, Fresno, CA acquired in the 1940s Thence by family descent Christie's New York, June 5, 1996, lot 51, consigned by the above Donald Ellis, Dundas, Ontario, acquired at the above auction David Teiger, acquired from the above on January 16, 1997

SOLD

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