Flat Dolls-Putskatihu

Also called "cradle dolls' because they are given to Hopi infants, Putsqatihut or flat dolls are the very oldest form of katsinas dolls among the Hopi. After a child has gone through his or her naming ceremony 20 days after birth, the first one received is the Hahay'i wuuhti or katsina grandmother. The next is the katsinmana or katsina maiden. After that they may receive any katsina doll. The katsinas themselves carve them for the young girls who continue to receive them (usually more fully formed and detailed ones as they grow older) until they are initiated into the Hopi Katsina Society. 

Seven dolls by the late Delbridge Honanie of the Bear Clan from Songóopavi Village on Second Mesa.  1946-2017. He was a member of the influential Artists Hopid group, founded in 1973. 5 inches tall (not including feathers) Each is $65 and all are in Tucson. The Taawa is SOLD.

A Kuwan Kokopelli, unsigned. It measures 9 inches to the feather tip and $65. Also unsigned is this Sootuknangwu (usually translated as Sky Deity), 9.5 inches tall and $90. A Kokopelli by Paul Huma, it is 7.5 inches long and $48. (ALL IN TUCSON)

A Palhikwmana or Dew Drinking Maiden/Butterfly Maiden by Augustine Mowa III. She is 16 inches high to feather tips and $275. A Palhikwtaqa* or Butterfly Boy by Hongvi Marquez. He is 11 inches high to feather tips and $130. (BOTH in SANTA FE)

*This particular carving represents the male Butterfly Katsina - different from the dancer who accompanies the Butterfly Maiden in a social dance called the Butterfly Dance held in the early Fall for the benefit of the harvest. His long hair represents the fall of gentle rain. Symbols of clouds, rain, lightning, the sun and rainbows, even ground corn are used in the tablita or headdress.

Each of these are by Larry Melendez, of the Butterfly Clan from the village of Sitsom’ovi on First Mesa. They average by 5.5 inches tall and each is $30. From left to right, top to bottom: Two Qöqölö (yellow for south and black for north), frog SOLD, two different feathered Taawa/Sun, and a Hahai Wuuhti. (TUCSON)

By Ranier Koruh, a Hoototo, or rain priest of the south. 9 inches high and $90. This Hilili was carved by Sedrick Ahonewa, from the village of Hotvela. 12 inches tall. $125. (These first two are in TUCSON) At right is a Sólàawitsi or Sun Speaker by Evan Martin, 10.5 inches high and $75. (SANTA FE)

The three dolls in the row above are all by Nick Brokeshoulder. Left to right: Mongwa or Owl, 11 5/8 inches high and $85. Next is a Sooya’ytaqa or Planting Stick Boy, 12 inches high to feather tip and $85. Last in the row is a Hilili, 11 inches high and SOLD. (All in SANTA FE)

A Sootukwnangwu or Sky Deity by Leander Tenakhongva, 20.75 inches high to the feather tip and $185. (SANTA FE) A Hahay’iwuuhti by Brendan Kayquoptewa. 11 inches and $80. (TUCSON) A Laguna Corn katsina by Wayland Namingha Jr. 16 1/8 inches high to feather tips and SOLD. (SANTA FE) A Wakas or Cow katsina by Isidor Abeyta, 13.5 inches high and SOLD. (SANTA FE)

A Kuwan Kookopölö or Fancy/Colorful Kokopelli by Lean Monongye. 8.25 inches high and $50. A Qööqöqlö by Lean Monongye, 9.75 inches high and $50. A Hakto by Dwight Monongye, 9.5 inches high and $80. At right is a Navantsìitsiklàwqa* by Randy Brokeshoulder. 7.5 inches high and $80. (All in SANTA FE)

* Navantsìitsiklàwqa (tears-your-shirt) or Tuutsìitsiklàwqa (tears-your-clothes) is one of the Wawarus or Runner katsinas who challenge Hopi men to races to encourage them to be good runners.

The Paakwa, or frog, is by Andrew Coriz. 7 inches and $48. Next is a Kookopölö, also by Andrew Coriz. 8 inches and $45. The last is a Kuwan Heheyà by Qöyangnuvtu Mowa. 10 inches including feather and SOLD. (TUCSON)

The Heheya is just over 16 inches high to feather tip and $120. The next two in the row above are both by Randy Brokeshoulder. The Aya or Rattle katsina is 9.25 and $80. The Wikchina or Greasyhand katsina is 9 inches high and $90. (All in SANTA FE)