Is this broken doll a kachina?

I got this little guy 8" today. The store sold him to me for a dollar because he is missing a hand and a foot.
I just thought it was very interesting. with the painting, feathers and even beads.
Mikey

 

I'd say nice find for a dollar! It has a level of detail that's promising. The colors and style and design look more authentic than some Navajo versions made for quick sale. As to whether it's actually authentic, I'll defer to the experts.

 

The detail and colors are what attracted me to it. wire covered with clay?

 

I would guess painted wood with metal 'rods' at the joints, perhaps small nails w the heads cut off, to act as reinforcements where two parts come together.

 

Oh ok I see its wood. Rods at the feet, hands and shoulders. Interesting how it is made. Seems like a lot of work.

 

I'm gonna further guess that it's not too old, as the kinds of feathers and what looks like rabbit fur (as opposed to other kinds of fur) and even the kind of leather (perhaps commercial) are all traits of more recent dolls than older ones.

Probably made for sale, so a tourist item, but still better than many.

 

One last thought: I've learned a ton myself by reading what the experts in this forum have previously said about other kachina dolls, using the search feature.

 

Actually I did read about yours back in January. So damage is common lol

 

This is not a Hopi kachina doll. This is a Navajo carving. Whenever you see these figures embellished with rabbit fur, leather, fabric, and feathers, it is a sure sign it is Navajo, not Hopi. The Hopi do not make kachina dolls in this style.

There are 500-600 different Hopi kachinas, each is a spirit figure with a specific look, specific things they carry, and specific ways they act. This carving is a complete fantasy design, and doesn’t portray any specific kachina.

Authentic kachina dolls are made to represent a specific kachina, and kachinas are found only in the Hopi, Zuni, and a few Rio Grands Pueblo cultures/religions.

So since kachinas are not a part of the Navajo culture/religion, and they don't believe in kachinas, they usually make no attempt to depict them accurately. They carve figures strictly for sale to tourists, and many Navajo depend on the carving as part of their livelihood. They therefore feel free to create whatever will attract a buyer.

There is still a market for them as decorative Southwest art, and as a type of Navajo folk art. They just cannot legally be sold as "Hopi kachina dolls," (and there is no such thing as a Navajo kachina) so out of respect to the Hopi and other puebloan tribes, they should not even be called "kachina" dolls, since they do not accurately depict the actual kachinas. They should be called Navajo carvings, sculptures, figures, or dolls...but not "kachinas"

 

Thank you very much Taupou. Navajo carving wood doll.

 

So not kachina but still a well made piece deserving some attention so i did a little work to him. Needs more work on the hand but he looks much better. and fixed the foot and added the wood base from my back yard.
Mikey