Three 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. (ALL THREE 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).
A Paakwamana or Frog Maiden by Loren Talashoma. 8.75 inches high and $350. The Paakwa or Frog was carved by Logan Honanie. 10.5 inches tall and $375. A Paakwa or Frog by Gabriel Lara. 9.25 inches high and $225. Jared Quamahongnewa carved this ‘fraidy frog - or at least he looks stunned to me. 9 inches tall. $300. (SANTA FE) This Paakwa was carved by Jordan Saufkie, a younger carver. 9 inches tall and $300. ALL IN SANTA FE)
The Hoho Mana is by Ryan Gashweseoma and is 9 inches. $350. (TUCSON) The Yögötsina or Cactus katsina was made by Clark Tenakhongva. It is just over 14 inches high and $500. (SANTA FE) A Talavay or Early Morning katsina by Jared Quamahongnewa. 10 3/8 inches high to feather tip and $200. (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 Sösöpa or Cricket katsina by Hongvi Marquez. This one is 9.5 inches high to the tips of the grass and $325. (SANTA FE)
A Hahay’iwuuhti or Grandmother katsina holding a Hohomana cradle doll by Carl Nequatewa. A Koo’aa* Katsina, unsigned, measuring 13 inches high to feather tips and $275. A Monongye* or Lizard katsina, also unsigned. He is painted with man made paints. 12 inches high and $300. A Sakwa Honan Katsina or Blue Badger katsina by Horace Kayquoptewa. This one is 11.5 inches high to feather tips and $280.(ALL in SANTA FE)
*The Koo’aa is unsigned as are all katsina dolls that are intended to be given to the children as those are supposed to be carved by the katsinas and therefore cannot be signed.
According to an old Hopi story, an epidemic struck the Hopi people. It was so widespread through the villages that the people were starving. It was a group of Navajo who showed up, brought in crops from the fields and fed them and nursed them back to health. The Koo’áakatsina katsina commemorates this event and the Navajo people.
