Hopi Kachina Dolls – 1930‘s 1940’s and 1950’s Identified Carvers

(Abbott Sackiestewa) Hotsani Kachina (1950’s)

This Hotsani Kachina (sometimes spelled Hochani) is circa 1950’s and stands 4 3/8 inches high. He is an old Kachina borrowed from the NM Pueblos…. and is a leader of some kind. There is a silver coloured substance around where his mouth should be. It is believed this doll came from the studios of Abbott Sackiestewa who along with his family produced a large number of Route 66 carvings in the 50’s and 60’s and possibly as early as the 1940’s.

(Charles Fredericks) Cloud Kachina – 1930’s

A beautiful Cloud Doll by Charles Fredericks. I am certain it his work. He has no flaws, feathers are a bit worn, but that is to be expected. I am surprised at how intact the feathers actually are though. He is 11 3/4 inches tall. A truly great doll.

(Charles Fredericks) Corn Rugan Kachina (Circa 1930’s)

This outstanding doll stands an imposing 11 1/2 inches high. It is in excellent shape with a great patina from age. The seller, Jim Mcllellan, identified the doll as a Charles Fredericks carving. It is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from an art gallery in Venice California. I love it.

(Charles Fredericks) Hotsani – Circa 1940’s

This beautiful Charles Fredericks doll stands 10 Inches tall and has large doll presence. It is good condition except for worn feathers, a repair on one foot and some of the leather fringe is coming apart on the side of the kilt. All in all no big deal as none of it detract from the doll. It has great overall patina and is well carved by the brother of renowned carver Wilson Tawaquaptewa.

(Charles Fredericks) Koyemsi – Circa1910-20’s

This 4 1/2 inch squatting Koyemsi is a very early example of Charles Fredericks works.The interesting thing about this doll is that it still has the original strings with original feathers tied on. It has developed a wonderful patina with time.

(Jimmy Koots) Heheya – 1950’s

Jimmie Koots Heheya Amutaqa or Uncle. He travels with the Ogres and is a fearsome, yet comic figure. He is in a kneeling posture and is 6” tall. In typical irreverent Koots’ fashion, the hair on his head is actually wall-to-wall carpet from the 1950s.

(Jimmy Koots) Mudhead – 1940’s

This is a fine 10 inch tall carving of a “Mudhead” by Jimmie Koots circa 1940’s. It’s well carved and loaded with details including the drum. A great addition to my collection.

(Jimmy Koots) Wutaka – Old Man – Circa 1940’s

Not really a kachina but a carving of an old man this is a great looking doll stands 9 1/2 Inches tall. On his back is what appears to be a sack of corn. It’s an imposing carving and has fabulous patina. It’s attributed to the great carver Jimmy Koots. Circa 1940’s.

(Otto Pentewa) Koyala – Clown Kachina – Circa 1930‘s 40’s

Circa 1930’s – 40’s. Clown Kachina carved by Otto Pentewa. This doll stands just 4 inches tall to the tip of the horns. This is unusual because they are normally seen with black and white stripes not black and yellow.

(Otto Pentewa) Corn Kachina – Circa 1940’s

Antique Hopi Corn Kachina Doll by legendary Hopi Carver…Otto Pentewa. This Kachina measures 5 1/4 inches tall and is in great condition with a nice patina from age. Otto Pentewa’s work is featured in the world-famous collection of Horst Antes. The Catalog of this collection is published in German. His work can also be found in the Goldwater Collection at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.

(Otto Pentewa) Hilili Kachina – Circa 1930’s

Circa 1930’s. Policeman/guard Kachina. This doll stands just 3 1/4 inches tall. He whips the clowns and does crowd control and enforcement of community projects like cleaning out the springs. This one is by Otto Pentewa. Otto has such an unique carving style he is considered the second most identifiable Hopi carver

(Otto Pentewa) Kachina – 1940’s

This is a great 6 1/2 inch kachina carved by Otto Pentewa. The doll is well done and showing its age well. I’m not sure what kachina it represents.
Kachina

(Otto Pentewa) Nuvaktsina – 1950’s

This is an absolutely fabulous doll attributed to the great carver Otto Pentewa. The doll stands exactly 5 Inches tall and is in excellent condition with a real nice patina developing.

(Otto Pentewa) Sun Kachina – Circa 1940’s

This doll is 3 1/2 inches tall excluding the feathers and was carved by Otto Pentewa circa 1940. Represents the spirit of the Sun God

(Seeni Brothers) Navan Kachina – Velvet Shirt (1950’s)

Navan – Velvet Shirt Kachina. Circa 1950’s. This doll is 6 inches tall not including the base. Great doll with great patina. The trusted dealer I bought the doll from said it was carved by one of the Seeni Brothers who were active in the 40’s to the 70’s and had a very particular style. I was told they are easily identified by the small painted base.

(Victor Charlie) Dog Kachina (1950’s)

This nice 8 1/2 Inch doll is attributed to Victor Charlie. It has developed a very nice patina over the years and has few problems except for a small chip out of the top of his right ear.

(Victor Charlie) Ma‘alo Kachina – Circa 1940’s – 50’s

This 8 1/4 Inch doll is by Victor Charlie and dates to the 1940’s – 50’s. Victor Charlie is the grandfather of well known carver Neil David Sr.. The way the feet are carved, angular, and the way he paints the scroll design going down the kilt and the stiff arms, out front and angular cut of the hands are typical of his carving style.
The doll is a Ma’alo. This Kachina-Being was commonly carved in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but is hardly ever carved and gifted anymore. This is a “Corn” type Kachina and is associated with rain and the harvest. This one is very uncommon in that it is signed by Victor Charlie on the soles of the feet…see pics. The photo is a good one of his signature painted on the feet, but it is definitely more ledgible in viewing in person.

(Victor Charlie) Ma‘alo Kachina – Circa 1950’s

This is a Hopi Ma’alo Kachina Doll circa 1950s by Old Time Hopi Carver Victor Charlie. This one is in very good condition and stands 9 3/4 inches tall. He is developing a nice patina with age. Victor Charlie is a well-nown Hopi carver from days past. He was the grandfather and mentor to Neil David Sr.. There is a short bio on him in Dr. Gregory Schaaf’s Biography of 1600 Kachina Carvers. He was born around 1900 and was active as a carver from the 1920s through 1960s. He was a member of the Coyote Clan. His work is highly sought and is featured in the world-famous collection of Horst Antes. The Catalog of this collection is published in German.

(Victor Charlie) Mok Kachina – Circa 1950‘s – 60’s

This 8 inch doll is a Mok Kachina which is some kind of a “hunter” type being. It was carved by Victor Charlie in the late 50’s or early 60’s. A well done done with very nice patina.

(Victor Charlie) Snake Dancer – Circa 1950’s

This Snake Dancer Kachina is by old-time Hopi Kachina Carver Victor Charlie, who is the the grandfather of famous carver Neil David Sr. Neil was taught by Victor how to carve. Victor Charlie’s work is featured in the famous collection of German artist, Horst Antes, and Victor’s dolls appear in the catalog. This Snake Dancer measures 11 inches tall and is painted with tempera and mineral paints. The feathers on his head are replaced, the old ones have long since worn away. The right foot has been repaired, though it is scarcely noticeable. SOLD

(Victor Charlie) Tasaf Kachina – Circa 1940‘s – 50’s

This doll is the Tasaf or Tasap Kachina, also by Victor Charlie also circa 1950. He is in great condition, however, on his left-side he is missing a small chip of wood from his head. See pics. He measures 10 3/4 inches and has that large doll presence.
Look at the similarities of the way this doll and the other Victor Charlie doll is carved and painted. (The way the feet are carved, angular, and the way he paints the scroll design going down the kilt and the stiff arms, out front and angular cut of the hands all point to him.)

(Wilson Tawaquaptewa) – Circa 1940’s

This 7 1/4 inch (not including the feathers) kachina was carved by Wilson Tawaquaptewa. This renowned Hopi carver is know for the fact he took design elements from various Kachinas to create very unique and interesting dolls. He lived from 1873 till 1960.

(Wilson Tawaquaptewa) – Circa 1940’s

This 5 1/8 inch kachina was carved by Wilson Tawaquaptewa. This renowned Hopi carver is know for the fact he took design elements from various Kachinas to create very unique and interesting dolls. He lived from 1873 till 1960. A great looking doll with great age on it.