16 December 2013; Kachina Identification There are more than 300 different Kachinas! 2. The Navajos do carve sculptures, which are collectible. Hopi Kachina dolls are made in shapes of Kachinas - messenger spirits that come once a year to Hopi villages to bring rain, celebrate andbring gifts for children. An avid antiques collector herself, Kate has written about antiques for many years. Small wooden dolls carved in the likenesses of the various kachinas are used to help teach Hopi children the tribal religion and traditions. At the same time, the glued dolls have their eyeballs carved separately. If you suspect you have an older doll, you can compare it with the well-documented antique dolls at these museums. The Hopis believe that Kachina spirits (immortal beings) bring rain, act as messengers between the human world and the spirit world, and control many aspects of society, which is the symbolic meaning of a kachina doll. Silvertribe is able to offer remarkable prices to fit every level of the Native American Art enthusiast! Generally speaking, dolls with intricate carvings and decorations sell better than those without. Men of the tribe would dress up as these Ketsinam during ceremonies and perform dances, and the carved dolls symbolize the various Ketsinam. The value of a Kachina doll isnt tied to the economy or its beauty but rather the meaning and history it holds. Clothing that is painted on or created from fabric. The first people that made Kachina dolls, the Hopis, started making dolls with a single cottonwood root. Understanding the history, meaning, and value of these dolls is an important part of really appreciating their beauty. What are the Most Popular Kachina Dolls? 2. So a hummingbird kachina dancer may not be seen in the plaza at a dance for 30 years. Detailed painting of decorations and facial features. This price range is not unusual, and rare or large Kachina dolls in good original condition can bring into the low six figures; exceptional examples have brought over a $100,000. If you are interested in collecting them, I recommend that you do not just do your homework about what these dolls symbolize and represent but also get in touch with professionals of the Hopi world, pueblo Indians, or local museum appraisers so that you can identify and acquire gorgeous and valuable Kachina doll models. With ATADAs resources, you can connect with dealers who know what theyre doing, love their items, and can guarantee their authenticity. The Kachinas will appear in numbers, assign impossible tasks to the children, and promise to return in a few days. Ethnographic use mainly occurs around the side of the doll and head or any place normal human handling would occur over time. Most campaign buttons aren't worth much more than a few bucks, but some can command high prices. Many pages of line drawings of Kachina doll heads with descriptions of each Kachina's typical clothing and accessories are included in the book. Exposed cottonwood will turn a honey color over time, versus a whiter wood, which would be consistent in its coloration. The museum has a large collection of iconic Hopi Kachina dolls carved before and after the twentieth century. Kachina means life bringer in Hopi, and they are also known as Katcina, Qatsina, Katsina, or Kachina. Eagle - Represents strength & power. Aside from the pointers listed above, you should also keep in mind that a real antique kachina doll will be made in such a way that the body proportions are defined. If an antique porcelain doll meets all of the factors for a valuable and rare doll but is in poor condition, not much can be helped when it comes to the doll's value. A doll with a well-documented history is more valuable than a doll without. What Does the Hopi word Kachina Mean? 5 Collectible and Most Valuable Campaign Buttons. One tool the Hopi use to help preserve their culture is the kachina doll or katsin tihu. Collectors have sought Kachina dolls for many years for their artistic merit and spiritual and cultural significance. Kachina Dolls, also known as Kastsinas, are traditional toys or collectibles sold to tourists looking for the right memorabilia to express the Native American ways. Theres a prominent black ogre kachina doll, known as Chaveyo or Natask, with a black head, spikes, and big eyeballs. Clothing that is painted on or created from fabric. The oldest known figure is from the 1700s. A patron of the Hopi Pikya clan, Aholi once allowed his throat to be slit so that Eototo could escape. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Kachina Doll Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique McCoy Pottery Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Perfume Bottles Value (Identificattion & Price Guides), Brown Betty teapot Value (Identification & Price Guides), Getting to Know the Origin of the Kachina Dolls, Antique Teapots Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Coffee Grinders Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Milk Cans Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Safe Value (Identification & Price Guides), Vintage Bread Boards Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Cast Iron Toys Value (Identification & Price Guides), Benrus Watch Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Blue Willow China Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Car Blue Book (Car Value & Identificatiron), Old Buttons Value (Identification & Price Guides), Skeleton Key Value (Identification & Price Guides). Hopi dolls rarely have clothing adornments. At the same time, the glued dolls have their eyeballs carved separately. Children are typically less mischievous following this experience. Different Kachi dolls symbolize unique natural factors like crops, ancestors, rain, wind, and even animals. They are referred to as katsintithu when a more specific term is needed. Not to mention that some Kachina dolls and North American art are never put on sale but are shown occasionally at museums and auctions. There are artistic wood sculptures depicting Navajo ceremonies, such as Yeibeichei dancers, or ones done in a large format with whimsical imagery. Original, untouched condition is desirable, especially if the piece is in excellent condition. Buy with your heart, but do so only after you have taken the time to educate yourself. The type of wood (root) used in carving the doll is the most crucial feature to look at to determine if it is authentic. The Hopi have inhabited Northern Arizona for more than a thousand years, and have strived to maintain their culture during that time. At the same time, the Ogres kachina dolls are often used to scare bad-mannered children. Not all Kachina carvers from the early 20th century represented specific Kachinas; a famous example is Wilson Tawaquaptewa's (1871-1960) work. The Kachinas are powerful supernatural beings in the spiritual life of the Native American Hopi and Zuni Pueblo peoples. "Kachina" refers both to ceremonial dances in which these impersonators appear and to carved and painted wooden dolls with masked symbolism. Hand-carved child eating watermelon Hopi Kachina doll. He is the ruler of the sky and the messenger to the heavens. Kachina dolls symbolize Ketsinam, or spirits of nature. They rarely look real when they are painted. The Hopi use the term katsinato refer to the spiritual beings and the dolls. Crow mother - Watching over children in their play, the crow mother has a headdress with crow wings. Carved eyes, on the other hand, can be either half-moons or pop eyes. . The Zuni word "kok'ko" (ko 'ko) refers to spirits and supernatural beings which correspond generally and specifically to kachina of the Hopi. Early dolls may have nails with square heads. Note the size of the doll, the material the doll is made of, the type of eyes, hair and clothing details. Antique Kachina dolls usually have either painted or carved eyes. The Kachina Dolls are of great value to many of us who dedicate the time to collecting them. Condition. It is said that the bear doll possesses great strength, which he uses to protect his people and heal their illnesses. The specific history of a Kachina doll depends on the tribe using them. According to the cultural context, the Katsinas would go down to the peoples village every year to sing and dance during the time of the Winter solstice until the middle of July. The earliest set of dolls produced was carved in one piece. Identifying Kachina Dolls Overall whitewash. We believe that after reading this article, you will be able to do so. The same place theyve inhabited in Northern Arizona for over 1,000 years. Its particular aspects are taken from different representations of nature and even abstract concepts; this is because the Hopi believed that these Katsinas were personifications of things like rains, crops, animals, and ancestors, among others. During Kachina dances, Heluta is always the first to appear. Finally, the older the dolls are, the more valuable they are. You can learn about kachina dolls from a number of books, including, for a few examples, Wright's excellent guide; Harold S. Colton's Hopi Kachina Dolls With A Key to Their Identification; Walter J. Fewkes 1897 preliminary study Tusayan Kachinas; the Bureau of American Ethnology's 1903 Hopi Kachinas; and Rose Hauk's A Guide to Hopi Kachina . Walsh names his favorite carvers, and explains why the dolls are no longer called "kachina" in English. Instead, they signify an important connection between Southwestern Native American tribes and the powers of nature. Have you ever thought about how much your kachina doll was worth? At 1stDibs, there are several options of kachina dolls available for sale. The deer kachina doll stands for abundance, while the buffalo doll is revered for its ability to clear off worries and bad thoughts. There are many concepts for Kachinas such as those for the sun, stars, thunderstorms, wind, corn, insects, among others. These pieces are rarer than those produced during and after the twentieth century. How do you identify a Kachina doll? As mentioned earlier, kachina dolls made before the twentieth century are rare. This black ogre doll is most feared by naughty children. Dolls carved in the 1700s and 1800s are generally the most expensive. You can find a large collection of Hopi Kachina dolls at the Heard Museum in Phoenix and the Southwest Museum in Los Angeles. A ruff around the neck. It was sold for $300. Collecting vintage Kachina dolls can become a lifelong obsession. To view our available inventory of Hopi Kachina dolls online, please visit: www.AntiqueAmericanIndianArt.com. Provenance: A well-documented history regarding the doll can add a huge premium in terms of value. 1. Ed Mell and Francis Livingston both draw on this imagery occasionally, and its reflected in their paintings of individual dolls and the dancers themselves. The male figurines can be shirtless, wear a shirt (which may be velvet or white), a suit, or a ceremonial robe. Note that the white bear is regarded as one of the most potent warriors amount the Spirits. The Hopi beliefs also contributed to shaping other aspects of Native American culture. eBay is an excellent tool to check up and compare the prices of Hopi Kachina dolls. No portion of this online catalog may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written or email permission from J. Everything was carved in a simple fashion. What are the Most Significant Dolls in Mayan Culture? Special Price $467.99. It sold for more than $500on eBay early this year. Vintage Native American Kachina doll Eagle signed by the artist. Always make sure wear is consistent with human usage and not from mechanical aging, which is a common practice in making old-style fakes, sandpaper being the most common tool. Often the nose, ears, or bug eyes will have chips or scrapes, as they protrude and are susceptible to damage. The people of Hopiland can be found at the Hopi Village on the Third Mesa. Study on the go. Kachinas are also depicted in small, heavily ornamented carved-wood dolls, which are traditionally made by the men of a tribe and presented to girls; boys receive bows and arrows. Kachina dolls are made of cottonwood root, since cottonwood trees are known for their ability to find water even in dry climates. 2. Kachina Dolls 381 by Andy Warhol is one of the ten screenprints featured in the Cowboys and Indians portfolio. On the other hand, the ruffs around their necks are elaborated with fox skin, fabric, juniper, or Douglas fir. Kachina dolls can either have painted eyes or carved pop eyes, which are glued to the features. Each century since the early 1700s, girls have been gifted these unusual-looking dolls of Native American art. It's like a ring on a nose's pig, like the good book would say. Its worth noting that intact antique dolls are far more valuable than those that arent. When assessing the condition, here are some pointers that suggest your kachina dolls are fake or not as old as they are claimed to be. Materials: If you look at the materials, both in the wood that was used to carve the doll and in the materials related to its clothing pieces, you can determine if a Kachina doll is authentic or not. The common colors used were dark sage green, red ochre, pink, and yellow. Kachina dolls can be traced back to the Native American Hopi people. These dolls are not only used by the Hopis but also by the Aguna, Laguna Pueblos, and the Zuni. Weaved or painted fabric is used for clothing. Even though many Kachina dolls are not especially valuable, some are worth a lot. Have you ever looked at one of these adorable little dolls and wondered what it was? According to the Hopi laws, the runners have to beat the men to be rewarded, and if they lose, they are punished. Detailed painting of decorations and facial features. The best kachina dolls have fine carved feet and hands, with their fathers or decorator carved in, not glued. The kachina concept has three different aspects: the supernatural being, the kachina dancers, and kachina dolls (small dolls carved in the likeness of the kachina, that are given only to those who are, or will be responsible for the respectful care and well-being of the doll, such as a mother, wife, or sister). You can trade your kachina dolls on these websites. However, the process gets noticeably difficult in valuating the intended piece. These dolls are actually called tithu by the Hopi people. The arms are close to the body with no fingers (referred to as tummy warming in the trade). These can be, painted eyes in round shape, rectangular, or even as a half-moon, or they carve googly eyes in wood and then attach them to the figure; this also applies to the mouth, which can be painted, whether it is rectangular whether it is a half-moon or like a triangle, or carved. Kachina types are equally important as age and can sometimes outweigh age. Dixons the Kachina Maker," depicts a male carver putting the final touches on a Kachina doll at Walpi. nanystreasures. Later on, the carvers began to attach bases using glue. Wood and stone objects are the easiest types of materials for forgers to work with, so Kachinas are a good target, though most forgers are rarely historically correct with materials and simply look for an easy mark. Guide to Hopi Kachina Dolls. Butterfly Maiden Kachina Doll: The Palhik Mana, or Butterfly Maiden, is one of the most popular kachinas, which is beautifully dressed and usually not masked. With renewed interest came renewed detailing, and the figurines started to look different than they did in the traditional era. Museums and documented early examples in books are great references for learning and when youre ready to start collecting, buy from an ATADA (Antique Tribal Arts Dealer Association) dealer. 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