All of the dolls in the row above were recently purchased from a private collection. At left is a Mosayru Mana or Buffalo Maiden by Augustine Mowa III. She is 10.5 inches high and $325. Next is a Pöökhonghoya by Raynard Lalo. This one is 9.75 inches high and $300. Third is a Tsiitoto made by Merlin Kopelva. It is 10 inches high and $300. (ALL IN SANTA FE)
Both by Max Curley of the Corn Clan from Musangnovi Village. I picked these up from him last Saturday (July 18th) when we were both at Songoópavi Village to see the Niman ceremony, The Koyemsi (Mudhead) is. 11 inches tall and is holding a nicely detailed rattle. $350. The Ho’ote was carved from a curved piece of cottonwood root and is 11 inches tall. $400. (BOTH in SANTA FE)
Above are three katsinas by Darance (Makwesa) Chimerica, each $350. At left is a 13 inch tall Natukvika. In the middle is a 12 inch tall Sakwa Honan, or Blue Badger katsina. On the right is a 11.5 inch tall Navookatsina, or Cactus Flower. (All in Tucson).
Two “Tewasquaptewa dolls” by Ryon Polequaptewa of the Sun Clan from the village of Songóopavi on Second Mesa. Ryon took inspiration from the dolls carved by his great-grandfather, Wilson Tewaquaptewa (1873-1960), who was the last traditional kikmongwi of Orayvi Village. Ryon created these dolls in Tewaquaptewa’s iconic style, which is a mixture of attributes from several katsinas, something Tewaquaptewa began in the 1920s and were not meant to represent a particular katsina or concept. The range from 10 to 11 inches without the feathers and are $450 each. A Tsili katsina - one of. the runner katsinas. Lose a footrace with him and you get a mouthful of dried red chile! (ALL IN TUCSON)
See: Barry Walsh, “Kikmongwi as Artist: The Katsina Dolls of Wilson Tawaquaptewa,” Winter 1998, American Indian Art magazine.
Cimarron Grover is famous for his quixotic and imaginative carving style, especially his frogs. He stopped carving recently so we feel fortunate to have run across the early and exceptional Pakwaa Mana (Frog Maiden) of his. 18 inches tall. $1800. (SANTA FE).
The Paakwa or Frog at left was carved by Logan Honanie. 10.5 inches tall and $375. Jared Quamahongnewa carved this ‘fraidy frog - or at least he looks stunned to me. 9 inches tall. $300. This Paakwa was carved by Jordan Saufkie, a younger carver. 9 inches tall and $300. (ALL IN SANTA FE)
By Nick Brokeshoulder, a Heheya Mana. She is 9.75 inches high and $260. Last in the row is a Ye’ivitsha by Nick’s son Randy. This one is just under 10 inches high and $280. A Momo or Bee katsina by Tyller Lomayma. This one is painted with non-traditional paints, 10 inches high to antenna tips and $150. ( ALL IN SANTA FE)
A Sio Ho’ote by Randy Brokeshoulder. 13.5 inches and $600. (TUCSON) In the center is a Talavai’i or Early Morning Katsina by Wally Grover, carved about 20 years ago. 10.75 inches tall. $300. (TUCSON) Last in the row is a Patungsi or Squash Blossom Girl by Eric Kayquaptewa. She is just over 8 1/8 inches high to the top of her blossom. SOLD. (SANTA FE)
A Hópöngaw or Woodpecker katsina by Randy Brokeshoulder. 11 inches high to feather tips and $300. An Angwusanomtaqa or Crow Mother by Raynard Lalo. 11.25 inches high to wing tips and $300. Last in the row is a Tewaquaptewa style doll by Tayron Polequaptewa. This one is 12 inches high to feather tips and $750. (All in SANTA FE)
A Koyo’ngkatsina or Turkey katsina by Ethan Waters. 10.25 inches high to feather tips and $350. Ethan Bryce, from Hotvela, carved this Na’uykuytaqa or “Peeping out Man” - one of the many corn katsinas. 10 inches tall. $300. A Sakwa Hu by Shawn Deel. This one is 10.25 inches high and $450. (SANTA FE)
A Söhönasomtaqa* by Eric Kayquaptewa. 13 3/8 inches high to tips of grass and $400. (SANTA FE) A Palöngawhoya - this one by Ethan Bryce. 12 inches to the tip of the feather. $350. (TUCSON) At right is a Movitkuntaqa or a Yucca Skirt katsina by Hongvi Marquez. This particular figure represents the spirit of the Navajo people. 12.5 inches high to feather tips and $450. (SANTA FE)
Söhönasomtaqa is a katsina that appears only at the village of Orayvi –on Third Mesa- and is one of the most ancient katsinas. She is associated with Masaaw and is one of the so-called “angry” or War Katsinas.
By Hongvi Marquez, a Kuwan (Fancy/Colorful) Kokopelli, 8 inches tall and also $350. NExt is a Siyangephoya or Left-Handed Hunter katsina by Larry Melendez. 11.5 inches high and $300. At right is a Wuuyaqqötö or Braodface katsina also by Hongvi Marquez. 12.75 inches high and $300. (ALL in SANTA FE)
The Left-Handed katsina is one of the Mahk or Hunter katsinas. He is said by some Hopi to represent hunters from the Chemehuevi tribe, who live in the desert along the lower Colorado River.
