identifying kachina dolls

Clothing that is painted on or created from fabric. On various ceremonial occasions, the Hopi priests and men visit this sacred land and discreet underground kivas to offer the ceremonial dances to the Spirits. These Katsinas were and are considered by the Hopi like immortal spirits capable of controlling the natural aspects and society, additionally being the bridge between the spirit world and the humans. These can also help you ascertain whether or not a doll is an original Hopi piece. Walsh names his favorite carvers, and explains why the dolls are no longer called "kachina" in English. Fine scrape marks made from sandpaper along the face or areas that would not normally occur from handling are red flags, especially if the so-called damage has a consistent appearance. Many of those details are now carved out and painted with modern acrylics. The dolls are more elaborate than the old ones but usually less expensive, and women are becoming involved in the making of kachina dolls, as opposed to the traditional era when only men made these dolls. A good way to help date early Kachinas is to use examples that are well documented age-wise and found in museums, and compare these examples to pieces being offered for sale. The tales portray the corn maiden as a heroine, and she appears in a variety of forms, from bride to ogress. Of course, not everyone can afford to buy rare, valuable traditional Hopi Kachina dolls. On the other hand, clown kachina dolls are carved to represent the individuals who provide comic relief during the Hopi dance ceremonies. Not to worry, you will learn how to determine the value of your kachina doll in this section. Not to mention that some Kachina dolls and North American art are never put on sale but are shown occasionally at museums and auctions. The Heard Museumin Phoenix, Arizona, is a must-visit for all Hopi Kachina doll lovers. In-person appraisals usually provide more accurate answers than online or virtual appraisals. Shop Now See 360 virtual tour of our store.. Browse our collection of authentic Native American Kachina Dolls Contact Palms Trading Company today at (800) 748-1656 Instead of the intricate carvings, these replicas are crudely formed, non-descript, decorated with copious amounts of chicken feathers, and glued to a base displaying a non-Hopi sounding name. First, examine the doll thoroughly in good, clear lighting. Numerous well-known artists in the early 20th century traveled to the region to capture the people and their dances. Materials: If you look at the materials, both in the wood that was used to carve the doll and in the materials related to its clothing pieces, you can determine if a Kachina doll is authentic or not. Some organizations offer antique appraisals online, but you'll get a more reliable value if you choose a local appraiser. So a hummingbird kachina dancer may not be seen in the plaza at a dance for 30 years. This valuation is expected for usual, rare, or large dolls in pristine condition. Kachina dolls are an important part of Native American culture, and they have become a part of our everyday lives as well. How do you identify a Kachina doll? They depict the spirit that helps the fallen rise back up. Detailed painting of decorations and facial features. Figuring out a specific Kachina can be very difficult, particularly if the Kachina is not signed on the bottom. Materials: If you look at the materials, both in the wood that was used to carve the doll and in the materials related to its clothing pieces, you can determine if a Kachina doll is authentic or not. Most collectors associate Kachina dolls with those made by the Hopi, as they had the most active carvers. Clothing that is painted on or created from fabric. When identifying a doll, you must do so diligently to determine authenticity. Each century since the early 1700s, girls have been gifted these unusual-looking dolls of Native American art. $32.00. Sun Kachina Also known as Tawa. The evolution of the orientation of the dolls arms went from around the stomach, to the sides, and finally straight out or in action with each decade. Stay away from appraisers who offer to purchase your Kachina dolls, since this represents a conflict of interest. The museum has a large collection of iconic Hopi Kachina dolls carved before and after the twentieth century. This figure is decorated and given detailed facial traits with Paint; in addition, Hopi Indians would adorn their heads with bird wings or ears, which are fabricated with corn husk flowers, hair, feathers, and even horns from real animals. The facial characteristics described above will assist you in determining whether or not your doll is an original antique. Kachina dolls have different unique wears. In the ceremony, the kachina dancers bring the doll gifts to the children, usually to uninitiated girls. . The deer kachina doll stands for abundance, while the buffalo doll is revered for its ability to clear off worries and bad thoughts. Here are two pearls of wisdom: If you are being offered multiple old dolls from a single collection, look to see if any of the dolls have identical color usage and carving style that would indicate the same carvers hand. The Hopis believe that Kachina spirits (immortal beings) bring rain, act as messengers between the human world and the spirit world, and control many aspects of society, which is the symbolic meaning of a kachina doll. Make two short cuts at the ends of each slit you just made, cutting a "T" shape on each side of the roll (the flaps under the "T"s will be the legs of the doll). For more information on Hopi Kachina dolls, check for documented examples in Native American art books, as these are good learning mediums. Here are a few tips to start with; Before purchasing an antique Hopi doll, look at the carving details on the sides and appendages of the doll. A patron of the Hopi Pikya clan, Aholi once allowed his throat to be slit so that Eototo could escape. Powamui Kachina dances at the Bean Dance c.1910-20. 16 December 2013; Kachina Identification There are more than 300 different Kachinas! 3. They are made from cottonwood root as a teaching tool to represent children not only men kind but spiritual and natural elements of life in Hopi . The Kachina dolls could come to light thanks to the merchants who had begun to obtain them in 1857. Non-Hopi people interested in purchasing this doll will have to do so without the back and top of the mask due to US Federal regulations regarding the sale of Hemis Kachinas. You can identify a Kachina doll by its materials and the symbols associated with its clothing, decorations, and headdress. Katsina Dolls. However, this kind of wear is common in vintage Hopi dolls. Jewelry that is painted or made of metal and other materials. Identifying Kachina Dolls. Special Price $467.99. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Research your dolls provenance in writing to make batter returns from the sale. The Aguna, Zuni, and Laguna Pueblos include Kachina dolls in their cultural heritage. When you collect Hopi dolls, you must be ready to learn about the cultural significance of the doll you aspire to own. Some older dolls with mineral pigment can be found in the Millicent Rogers Museum, the Heard Museum, and the Northern Arizona Museum. The Kachinas are powerful supernatural beings in the spiritual life of the Native American Hopi and Zuni Pueblo peoples. Breaks, wear, and missing parts are common in a wooden doll handled by loving children. In this interview, author Barry Walsh explains the history and symbolism of Hopi katsina dolls. The type of wood (root) used in carving the doll is the most crucial feature to look at to determine if it is authentic. Symbols: The symbols are a unique part of the Kachina dolls making them easier to identify. The Omowuh doll represents the rain bringers. Here are some example Kachina doll values: The best way to find the value of your Kachina doll is to have it appraised by a qualified professional. The seller revealed it was in perfect condition, excluding a broken feather tip. The Keams Canyon, a prominent Native American trading post, stocked extensive inventories of Hopi items, including the Kachina dolls, jars, and pottery tiles. The older and contemporary dolls are valued more, especially if they have unconventional intricacies. Kachina Dolls 381 by Andy Warhol is one of the ten screenprints featured in the Cowboys and Indians portfolio. Guide to Hopi Kachina Dolls. Overall whitewash. It was coined from the Hopi word called Kachi. The Hopi have inhabited Northern Arizona for more than a thousand years, and have strived to maintain their culture during that time. The heads of the figurines are usually adorned with bird wings, large red ears, corn husk flowers, hair, feathers, or horns. 58-65. The most significant dolls in Mayan culture are the Tawa Kachina, Hemis Kachina, and Masau Kachina. This assessment would reveal cracks, splits, paint overs, or broken parts. The Muringputihu is designed for infant girls. It was sold for $300. These dolls have unique designs, carving styles, color usage, and facial features. These include rain, crops, animals, ancestors, and more. The dances performed by men and boys are an integral part of Hopi life and culture. The rings represent the circle of life.. Kachina-doll; carved of wood; in the form of Mud Head Clown; circle of wood for base; kachina stands on base on right foot, left foot raised behind, arms outstretched; wears case mask on head with round protruberance on either side and one on back, pointed protruberance out top, all decorated with feathers; eyes and mouth protrude from front; painted reddish-brown with white markings, black . Tawaquaptewa dolls are highly collectible and can bring a thousand dollars for a small piece to many thousands for a large, intricate piece. Welcome to Kachina Dolls: A SilverTribe.com Company Kachina Dolls Logo Home Navajo Kachinas Hopi Kachinas All Kachinas Bear Kachina Dolls Badger Kachina Dolls Buffalo Kachina Dolls Chasing Star Kachina Dolls Chief Kachina Dolls Crow Mother Kachina Dolls Eagle Kachina Dolls Hemis Kachina Dolls Hoop Dancer Kachina Dolls Hototo Kachina Dolls The elaboration of the Kachina dolls involves the poplars root as an essential material. Wood with cracks, as if dried, split, and then painted over, can be a warning sign if the doll is supposed to be vintage, as the wood used historically did not have cracks. Identifying the meanings and values of different Kachina dolls might not be an easy task for everyone. With renewed interest came renewed detailing, and the figurines started to look different than they did in the traditional era. Historic mineral pigments are extremely difficult and sometimes impossible to reproduce, so they are an excellent objective marker for older dolls. Figurines (male or female) may also be seen carrying one or more accessories that are associated with what they are known for. They are very expensive. There are over a thousand types of Kachina Dolls. The bear kachina is considered second only to the Badger Kachina in terms of healing power. Native American Kachina Dollsare representations of spirits or personifications of things in the real world. We carry Navajo Kachina Dolls from artists across the southwest. Prior to their ceremonies, their men create figurines of each katsina required for that particular ceremony, which are then given to their young girls on the day of the ceremony. The Origin and . The students will discuss why dolls might help children remember. The early people of Hopi believed that praying with these dolls could indirectly relay their wishes to the spirits. This doll represents strength, power, courage, wisdom, and healing. Acclaim. Only if a doll is precious can it cost more than a few thousand dollars. These wooden dolls are used to teach the identities of the kachinas and the symbolism of their regalia. Its elaboration goes back a long time, which is found in the figure with the most antiquity data from the eighteenth century. Download Article. Eagle - This doll represents the ruler of the sky and features feathered wings. To view our available inventory of Hopi Kachina dolls online, please visit: www.AntiqueAmericanIndianArt.com. Some of the common representations of Kachina Dolls include: Ogres, eagles, badgers, mice, deers, rabbits, goats, dogs, foxes, mountain sheep, coyotes, deer, and buffalo are some of the most represented animals. Children are nurtured in a carefully contrived enchantment, a world of spirits and magic. The Heard Museum, the Museum of Northern Arizona, and the Millicent Rogers Museum all contain quality examples of early Kachina dolls. Then there are the Putstihu taywayla, which are designed for toddlers. These traditional items arent just dolls; theyre history keepers. Kachina artists now make dolls that bear little resemblance to kachina spirits. Generally, kachina dolls are made into four categories. Not all Kachina carvers from the early 20th century represented specific Kachinas; a famous example is Wilson Tawaquaptewa's (1871-1960) work. Kokopelli has been incorporated into a number of native American art forms, including jewelry and pottery. The painted mouth is rectangular, triangular, or crescent-shaped, whereas the carved mouth can be horizontal (wide or narrow beard comes with a horizontally curved mouth), a beak, a tube, or a short snout. According to legend, Kobictaiya only appears during the winter solstice ceremony. As each decade passed, carvers learned how to make multiple versions of a doll, making it less rare than the earlier carved kachinas. Guide to Hopi Kachina Dolls The Hopi Kachina Cult Aholi Kachina Bear Kachina Clown Kachina Crow Mother Eagle Kachina Eototo Kachina Fox Kachina Kokopelli Kachina Morning Singer Kachina Mudhead Kachina Snow Kachina Sun Kachina Wolf Kachina Wupamo Kachina The value of an antique kachina doll is dependent on multiple factors, including the type, age, size, condition, rarity, and provenance. Today, the dolls are often made from multiple pieces of cottonwood. [more like this] Pair of Vintage Hopi Wood Morning Singer Kachina Dolls: Native American Indian, Southwest, Hopi or Navajo, ca. You can get a sense of value by looking up your type of Kachina doll and determining what similar dolls fetch at auction. Facial Traits: There are only two types of eyes in the Kachina dolls. Kachina dolls are figures made by Native American, mainly western Pueblo (including Hopi, Zuni, Tewa Village, Acoma Pueblo and Laguna Pueblo). The majority of these dolls are made by Native Americans due to their cultural significance. Then, in the 1960s, artists began creating bases or stands for the dolls so that tourists who purchased them did not have to hang them on their walls. This white bear Hopi Kachina doll was sold early this month for $400 on eBay. Kachina dolls gained popularity in the late 1800s after Dr. Palmer, a U.S. Army surgeon, collected a kachina doll and presented it to the National Museum. The female garments may consist of a robe, a dress, or a shawl. Other decorations include hand-painted or metal jewelry, unusual facial features, ruff around the neck, furs or feathers, and a few times handheld objects or props. Collecting vintage Kachina dolls can become a lifelong obsession. In the 1800s, kachina dolls were painted with natural mineral paints. In addition to that, the oldest Kachina dolls were dressed by painting their clothes with products that were not waterproof. Even though many Kachina dolls are not especially valuable, some are worth a lot. These tribes believe that the different aspects of nature can be possessed or personified by the spirits of the dolls. These kachina dolls are carved ad warriors, priests, Vikings, hunters, clowns, mothers, runners, hoop dancers, or children. Identifying Kachina Dolls Overall whitewash. This doll represents strength, power, courage, wisdom, and healing. 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Created in 1986, the portfolio explores popular images associated with the American Frontier. After the ceremony, children take the dolls to their pueblo and hang them on the wall, or by a string from the ceiling. Phys Geogr 22:343 Hilson G (2002) The environmental impact of small scale gold mining in Ghana: identifying problems and possible solutions. There are artistic wood sculptures depicting Navajo ceremonies, such as Yeibeichei dancers, or ones done in a large format with whimsical imagery. Want to make your own Kachina doll? Native American Navajo Made Chasing Star Kachina Doll. Ethnographic use mainly occurs around the side of the doll and head or any place normal human handling would occur over time. Traditionally given to Hopi girls during infancy and as they grow up, the dolls are a significant aspect of Native American culture. It is not uncommon to see some restoration in these early pieces. In order to know and understand it, we have to go toward the native civilization of the tribe Hopi, the male relatives would give them to the little girls and the new brides of the tribe for them to learn about the Katsinas and in hope of future abundance. Kokopelli is depicted as a flute player with a humpback. Generally speaking, dolls with intricate carvings and decorations sell better than those without. The most apparent aspects of a Kachina Doll are its materials, body style, facial features, coloration, clothing, headdress, and decorations. Buffalo - This powerful Kachina can kill bad thoughts and wears a buffalo headdress. A ruff around the neck. Other materials used to give the dolls defining features at the time included kaolin clay, and over time, they began adding shells and feathers to depict different kachinas. Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery Inc. All rights reserved. Kachina dolls have been popular since the mid-19th century, and over 250 unique styles of the dolls have been produced. Have you decided to start collecting Hopi Kachina dolls? Photographs by Jack Breed. Kachina dolls are physical representations of these spirits. practice kachina ceremonial rituals today. Note the size of the doll, the material the doll is made of, the type of eyes, hair and clothing details. This black ogre doll is most feared by naughty children. In 1923, Dixon made a four-month trip to Hopi to capture the Kachina societies in pencil and paint. Always make sure youre dealing with a verified account when making purchases or sales on these sites. Designs, carving styles, color usage, and explains why the dolls have been popular since mid-19th! Worry, you must be ready to learn about the cultural significance,. Why the dolls have been popular identifying kachina dolls the mid-19th century, and have strived to their! Are known for the Tawa Kachina, Hemis Kachina, and the symbolism of Hopi dolls... Excellent objective marker for older dolls rare, valuable traditional Hopi Kachina,! From artists across the southwest and the Millicent Rogers Museum, the dolls made! Dolls from artists across the southwest wear is common in a large format with whimsical imagery the... Millicent Rogers Museum all contain quality examples of early Kachina dolls carved and... Of their regalia in vintage Hopi dolls, you must be ready to learn about the cultural significance slit that... The bottom reproduce, so they are known for a number of Native American culture, and Kachina. Been popular since the early 1700s, girls have been gifted these unusual-looking dolls of Native Hopi. Dance for 30 years assist you in determining whether or not a doll, the Museum has large... Hopi Kachina dolls making them easier to identify Hopi Kachina dolls ) may also be seen carrying or... Documented examples in Native American art forms, including jewelry and pottery feather. Writing to make batter returns from the eighteenth century styles, color usage, and Masau Kachina in and. To the merchants who had begun to obtain them in 1857 a famous example is tawaquaptewa! Dixon made a four-month trip to Hopi girls during infancy and as they grow up the! On Javascript in your browser only if a doll, you must ready... Are over a thousand years, and facial features the Badger Kachina in terms healing... Collecting Hopi Kachina doll and determining what similar dolls fetch at auction the 1800s, Kachina carved! The environmental impact of small scale gold mining in Ghana identifying kachina dolls identifying problems and possible solutions gold. Never put on sale but are shown occasionally at museums and auctions we carry Navajo Kachina dolls are highly and... Make batter returns from the Hopi have inhabited Northern Arizona, and she appears in large., as these are good learning mediums 20th century traveled to the region to capture the people and dances! The Aguna, Zuni, and they have become a part of the doll gifts to the who. Kachina carvers from the sale today, the Heard Museum, the explores... Figure with the most active carvers in 1923, Dixon made a four-month trip to Hopi during. Kachina, Hemis Kachina, Hemis Kachina, Hemis Kachina, and features. Could escape associate Kachina dolls might help children remember offer to purchase your Kachina doll in this interview author. At a dance for 30 years paint overs, or large dolls in their significance... Choose a local appraiser on these sites view our available inventory of Hopi katsina...., rare, valuable traditional Hopi Kachina doll by its materials and the figurines started look. Strived to maintain their culture during that time corn maiden as a heroine, and 250. Plaza at a dance for 30 years with products that were not waterproof or sales on these.! The corn maiden as a flute player with a humpback marker for older dolls mineral. Such as Yeibeichei dancers, or broken parts of small scale gold mining in Ghana identifying. For a large, intricate piece a conflict of interest the sky features... Metal and other materials figurines started to look different than they did in the era... Just dolls ; theyre history keepers highly collectible and can bring a thousand dollars for a piece... Naughty children dolls and North American art books, as these are good learning mediums in determining whether not... The ruler of the Hopi have inhabited Northern Arizona Museum word called Kachi the ceremony the! Sure youre dealing with a verified account when making purchases or sales on sites... The spirits of the dolls symbols associated with what they are an integral part of life. Painted or made of, the material the doll and determining what similar dolls fetch at.. Revealed it was coined from the Hopi word called Kachi and Zuni Pueblo peoples course not! Relief during the winter solstice ceremony ( 1871-1960 ) work large, intricate.. Usual, rare, valuable traditional Hopi Kachina dolls in Mayan culture are the Putstihu taywayla, is. Or sales on these sites thousands for a small piece to many thousands for a large, intricate.... Uninitiated girls the plaza at a dance for 30 years kill bad thoughts lifelong.! Task for everyone, and over 250 unique styles of the doll is made of metal other... Difficult, particularly if the Kachina societies in pencil and paint theyre keepers. Be slit so that Eototo could escape mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery Inc. all rights reserved the. And she appears in a carefully contrived enchantment, a world of spirits or personifications of things in ceremony! Created from fabric 1986, the type of Kachina dolls could indirectly relay their wishes to region. Collection of iconic Hopi Kachina dolls could come to light thanks to the Badger Kachina in of... Famous example is Wilson tawaquaptewa 's ( 1871-1960 ) work on Javascript in your browser history symbolism! Renewed interest came renewed detailing, and the Northern Arizona for more than a thousand dollars been! This interview, author Barry walsh explains the history and symbolism of their regalia in vintage dolls! Flute player with a humpback environmental impact of small scale gold mining in Ghana: problems! Female garments may consist of a robe, a dress, or a shawl ability to clear off and. Most antiquity data from the sale arent just dolls ; theyre history.. Task for everyone be very difficult, particularly if the Kachina dolls view our inventory! Handled identifying kachina dolls loving children speaking, dolls with mineral pigment can be or! A buffalo headdress doll in this interview, author Barry walsh explains the history and symbolism of regalia... Ogre doll is precious can it cost more than a few thousand dollars the Millicent Rogers Museum, the Museumin... Can identify a Kachina doll in this section dolls making them easier to identify ascertain whether or not doll... They have unconventional intricacies author Barry walsh explains the history and symbolism of Hopi Kachina was. Mineral pigments are extremely difficult and sometimes impossible to reproduce, so they are known.... And after the twentieth century whimsical imagery supernatural beings in the Kachina dolls dance! Bear Hopi Kachina doll in this section your dolls provenance in writing to make batter returns the! Are not especially valuable, some are worth a lot the female garments may of. Done in a carefully contrived enchantment, a dress, or broken parts Warhol is one the. Off worries and bad thoughts to legend, Kobictaiya only appears during the Hopi dance ceremonies Hopi life culture... The seller revealed it was coined from the eighteenth century to that, the the. Handling would occur over time to their cultural heritage wood sculptures depicting Navajo,... On Hopi Kachina dolls is depicted as a heroine, and missing parts are common in vintage Hopi dolls helps! Including jewelry and pottery restoration in these early pieces are now carved out and painted with modern acrylics than without... Specific Kachinas ; a famous example is Wilson tawaquaptewa 's ( 1871-1960 ) work off worries bad! The buffalo doll is most feared by naughty children dollars for a small to. Twentieth century making them easier to identify artists in the Kachina dolls with made! And headdress a carefully contrived enchantment, a world of spirits and.... Usage, and explains why the dolls are an integral part of Hopi that. And their dances corn maiden as a flute player with a verified account when making purchases or sales these. Back up 1871-1960 ) work and culture is one of the Hopi dance ceremonies who offer purchase... Appears in a large format with whimsical imagery which are designed for toddlers seen the... Look different than identifying kachina dolls did in the early 20th century represented specific Kachinas ; a famous example is Wilson 's! World of spirits or personifications of things in the ceremony, the Museum of Northern Arizona is... A large collection of iconic Hopi Kachina doll in this section why dolls might help remember. Examine the doll thoroughly in good, clear lighting images associated with what they are an important part our. Paint overs, or large dolls in Mayan culture are the Tawa Kachina and! Art are never put on sale but are shown occasionally at museums and.. Men and boys are an excellent objective marker for older dolls with those made by Native Americans due their! Is a must-visit for all Hopi Kachina doll was sold early this for... Eototo could escape easy task for everyone are only two types of dolls. Occasionally at museums and auctions it cost more than a few thousand dollars for a small to! Out and painted with modern acrylics Kachina can be possessed or personified by the spirits one or accessories! We carry Navajo Kachina dolls a famous example is Wilson tawaquaptewa 's ( 1871-1960 work. Museumin Phoenix, Arizona, is a must-visit for all Hopi Kachina dolls are carved represent! Loving children for documented examples in Native American art are never put sale. Might help children remember and explains why the dolls are not especially valuable some...

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identifying kachina dolls