Kachina Doll - Hopi Indians, Arizona - First Half Of The 20th Century

Kachina DOLL representing the Koyemsi Clown
Also known as Kachina Tête de Boue (Mud head)
Hopi Indians, Arizona 
First half of the 20th century
Cottonwood, pigments and down
H. 14 cm, W 4 cm

A monoxyle wooden doll with polychrome pigmentation, characterised by a hooded mask with three globular protuberances on the sides and a conical one on the top.

Koyemsi is an important player in Hopi ritual dances, provoking the guardians of order - the Kachina Guardians and Warriors - with his arrogant, playful behaviour in a game full of humour and energy. 

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

Reference H. S. Colton, Hopi Kachina Dolls, N°59.

Provenance: Former private collection in Paris, France.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

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