J-0-34 Hopi kachina by Wilson Tewaquaptewa.
The Hopi speak a unique branch of the Uto-Aztecan linguistic family meriting its own name of “Hopi”. They are the only Puebloan Indians in Arizona inhabiting, since prehistoric times, a small number of villages and picturesque mesa top pueblos clustered in the northeastern part of that state. The Hopi are particularly famous for their kachina dolls made of cottonwood root. The doll was made by the most famous of the known Hopi kachina makers, Wilson Tewaquaptewa (1871-1960). A classic and readily identifiable example of his work, it bears many of his hallmarks including the unusual body paint (outlined in black), the dots and dashes on the body of the doll and the large and elaborate ear panels that he used on his crow kachinas. Tewaquaptewa made kachinas over several decades and so his dolls are dated according to the type of paint used. In this particular case the doll would date to about 1920. Unusual, this doll depicts a crow dressed in Hopi male attire whereas most crow kachinas depict crow mother.
The very large and elaborate ear panels (representing crow wings) are indicative of Tewaquatewa’s renditions of the crow kachina. Instead of having attached feathers, this doll sports a red wool pomp on its head, a not uncommon Tewaquaptewa touch.
A significant and charming example of this early carver’s work. 8"h. $3,800.00