Kachina Doll - Hopi Indians, Arizona - Circa 1920

Kachina doll representing Hakto
Also known as Kachina Head Wood Carrier 
Hopi Indians, Arizona 
Circa 1920
Cottonwood, pigments and wool
H. 20 cm, W 6.5 cm

A monoxyle wooden doll whose colours emphasise her androgynous character: her helmet mask is covered in intense blue pigments, symbolising virility, and her bust is covered in red and yellow, representing the feminine world. 
His collar is embellished with a two-tone strawberry, and his mask is topped with a bundle of wood in the form of a horizontal stick held together with cotton thread and adorned with falling strands of wool. 

Regarded as a lieutenant, Hakto dances, particularly during the Powamu festival. 

Kachina dolls were given to children at the end of ceremonial dances. They would take them home and hang them on the wall, enabling them to learn about the pantheon of divinities.

Reference H. S. Colton, Hopi Kachina Dolls, N°153.

Provenance: Former private collection in Paris, France.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

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