Hopi Katsinas
Gallery 3 -
Kayquoptewa / Holguin

GALLERY 4
Brokeshoulder Gallery


back to GALLERY 1


Brandon Kayquoptewa, a member of the Rabbit Clan from Hotevilla Village on Third Mesa, is a versatile carver who can create highly detailed work as well as classic traditional or old-style katsin tihut (katsina dolls).   We have been handling his work for over a decade.   These are some of the ones we are fortunate to have on hand.


A Patung of Squash katsina by Eric Kayqupotewa, Brandon's younger brother.   6 inches high and $325.

This Eagle by Brandon has a wingspan of 12 inches and is 14 inches high to the tip of the feathers.   $175.

This is the first Koshare that Brandon has carved.   Quite large (16.5 inches high), it is a very charming piece.   $450. (SOLD)


The Taawa or Sun at left is fully-carved and 11 inches high.   $275.   The one at right is a putska tihu or flat doll of the sort typically given to very young children, also 11 inches high, $65. (SOLD)   The Sun katsina rarely appears as a dancer in the ceremonies, but the deity it represents is central to Hopi life.   (When it does appear in ceremonies, it is as a pair.)   The solstices and equinox rites all mark important changes in the direction of the sun and mark crucial times for their traditional way of life.   He is literally the bringer of light and life.  


This particular carving represents the Nangöysohut or Chasing Star katsina, one of several that have to do with celestial bodies and events.   He may appear during the plaza dances or katsin tikive of late Spring and early summer as well as the night dances held earlier in the year in the kivas or religious chambers of the Hopi.   The trailing feather headdress is said by some to represent the trail of the shooting star.   This gracefully carved katsina is just under 11 inches high and is priced at $1200.  

A Qoqole carrying a paaho or prayer stick. 9.5 inches high.   $150.

A Kocha Hon or White Bear, 10.5 inches high. $240.   There are four basic types of bears:   white, black, blue and brown.   Beyond that there are mesa or village variations.   This one is typical of the Third Mesa White Bear.


Brandon carved this Sikyahote or Yellow Ahote, which is believed to be inspired by or represent of the spirit of the Plains Indians.   Marvelous attention to detail front and back.   9.5 inches high.   $1600.

Sherald Holquin is a carver from Moencopi Village who now lives here in Tucson.   Sherald has been carving for about twenty years and we have handled his work for most of that time.   As he works in the building trades, we don’t get his work as often as collectors wish we did.

The Katsin Mana is called Hemis Mana when she appears during the Niman ceremony with the Hemis katsina.   Here she is distributing food during that ceremony, which functions in part as an early harvest ritual.   A one-piece carving, 7.75 inches high, $685.


A Mongwa or Owl warrior-hunter, back from a scuccessful hunt, by Sherald Holquin.   6.5 inches high.   $525

Bundled against the wintry winds, are a pair of Koyemsi/Mudheads (left one SOLD) and a Katsinmana as they might appear during the upcoming Powamuy or Bean Ceremony in February.   All three are around 6 inches high and $300 each.

He'e'e is generally referred to in English as Warrior Maiden because of the story behind her:   a young woman whose hair was being done up in the traditional butterfly maiden style when a Ute raiding party attacked her village.   The men were in the fields so she snatched up her brother's bow and arrows and helped defend the village until the men arrived.   By Sherald, she measures 6 inches high and is $450.


This Butterfly Maiden perched on a flower, in turn cradling a small butterfly, is something suggested to Sherald by his young daughter.   It is 9.5 inches high, $1100.




HOME      TOP      GALLERY 4      GALLERY 1



Bahti Indian Arts

TUCSON:   4330 North Campbell, Suite 73,Tucson, Arizona 85718     520 577 0290
SANTA FE:   119 East Palace Avenue, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501     505-983-4542

Related topics: Indian, Arts, Crafts, jewelry, silver, pottery, Katsinas, Kachinas, Rugs, Blankets, Weaving, Painting, sandcast, Sandpainting, books, Hopi, Apache, Navajo, Zuni,Tohono O'odham, Hopi, Apache, overlay, textiles, concha belts, Northwest Coast, Loloma, Scholder, RC Gorman, baskets, Hopi, Apache, Navajo, Zuni,Tohono O'odham, overlay, textiles, concha belts, Northwest Coast, Loloma, Scholder, RC Gorman, baskets, Indian, Arts, Crafts, jewelry, silver, pottery, Katsinas, Kachinas, Rugs, Blankets, Weaving, Painting, sandcast, Sandpainting, books, Hopi, Apache, Navajo, Zuni,Tohono O'odham, Indian, Arts, Crafts, jewelry, silver, pottery, Katsinas, Kachinas, Rugs, Blankets, Weaving, Painting, sandcast, Sandpainting, books, Hopi, Apache, Navajo, Zuni,Tohono O'odham, Hopi, Apache, overlay, textiles, concha belts, Northwest Coast, Loloma, Scholder, RC Gorman, baskets, Hopi, Apache, Navajo, Zuni,Tohono O'odham