Featured 17 Inch Kachina Purchased at an Estate sale.

Traditionally, Hopi kachina dolls are carved only by men. So I would assume this one is also Navajo (or possibly even non-Native).

 

This one is Navajo, also. Whenever you see extensive use of rabbit fur and leather, it's a pretty good sign it's Navajo. There is a kachina called Payik'ala or Three-Horned Kachina, but according to Harold S. Colton's Hopi Kachina Dolls, it should have a white case mask, Douglas fir ruff, green moccasins; and have yellow-painted shoulders, forearms, and lower legs.

He identifies it as a Zuni kachina, brought to Hopi First Mesa in 1921, others claim it was originally a Hopi kachina. This carving, though, would be considered a Southwest decorative figure.

 

And as another person who has lots of questions about kachina dolls, I've learned a ton by searching within this forum, using the tool at the top.

There many previous expert comments that, while maybe about a different doll in particular, do offer relevant info.

 

Thank you Potteryplease for pointing out how to search topics on the forum. And I appreciate everyone taking the time to respond to me. I now understand the difference between Navajo Decorative carvings and Hopi kachinas. But I have one other question. I purchased this 11 inch Kachina from an estate sale about 2 years ago. There are no feathers or fur on him. All his decorative items are carved from the same piece of wood. He is signed on the bottom but there also is a date. Is he an authentic Hopi Kachina? Ii might have lucked out!

 

Seems like it could be:

http://www.ancientnations.com/Gallery HTML/june_05/rick_james_hilili.html

 

Wow! If this is the Rick in your link, I guess this is an authentic Hopi Kachina....- also with some value! How exciting! Thank you Potteryplease!!!

 

That's Rick! He's also listed in Gregory Schaaf's book Hopi Katsina, 1600 Artist Biographies, including a color photo of him, and photos of 4 of his carvings.

 

Rick James comes from a family of artists. In addition to his famous carver father Alvin James Sr. (also known as Alvin James Makya), there are his aunts Mary Alice (basketmaker, potter, textile artist), Treva Burton (basketmaker), Bessie Monongye (basketmaker and potter), and his brother Alvin James Jr. (also a kachina carver.)

Rick James' work has been shown in Monongya Gallery (Third Mesa), Museum of Northern Arizona Shop (Flagstaff), McGee's Indian Art (Keams Canyon), Garland's Navajo Rugs (Sedona), and the Heard Museum Shop (Phoenix), and he has won numerous awards for his carving.

 

From what I read about him, he must have been in his early 20s when he carved this one. It is so exciting that he is a well known Hopi Artist and is mentioned in the 2 books. I paid $10 for it at local Atlanta area estate sale. And it was the final day and no one seemed to want it!

 

Good eye!

 

better investment......