identifying kachina dolls

Identifying the meanings and values of different Kachina dolls might not be an easy task for everyone. Wilson Tawaquaptewa c.1930 portraying a wolf or coyote. In the traditional era, the dolls were sold for approximately $0.25 per unit. The Kachina dolls are an iconic symbol of the tribe Hopis beliefs, as well as part of the American native culture. Then, in the 1960s, artists began creating bases or stands for the dolls so that tourists who purchased them did not have to hang them on their walls. Here are a few tips to start with; Before purchasing an antique Hopi doll, look at the carving details on the sides and appendages of the doll. [more like this] The dolls are more elaborate than the old ones but usually less expensive, and women are becoming involved in the making of kachina dolls, as opposed to the traditional era when only men made these dolls. 3. Kachina dolls are figures made by Native American, mainly western Pueblo (including Hopi, Zuni, Tewa Village, Acoma Pueblo and Laguna Pueblo). Acclaim. Specific features such as eyes, hair styles, noses, etc. Clothing that is painted on or created from fabric. Small brightly painted wooden dolls are what come to mind when people hear the word Katsina. Its worth noting that intact antique dolls are far more valuable than those that arent. Clothing that is painted on or created from fabric. A Hopi Indian will tell you that a Katsina is a supernatural being who is personated by a man wearing a mask. Inspect areas on the dolls that have been handled over the years, like the sides, heads, or hands. Tawaquaptewa dolls are highly collectible and can bring a thousand dollars for a small piece to many thousands for a large, intricate piece. However, the key to its value lies in its carving, decoration, quality materials, and longevity. The earliest set of dolls produced was carved in one piece. Close examination of where these insert may reveal white pegs, which means the appendage may have been repaired or replaced. 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. I have been collecting and selling early Hopi dolls for over 25 years and I have seen and learned much during that time span. In a nutshell, Kachina dolls are essentially Native American figure toys that represent different spirits or deities to Native American culture. Kachina dolls gained popularity in the late 1800s after Dr. Palmer, a U.S. Army surgeon, collected a kachina doll and presented it to the National Museum. A ruff around the neck. 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The body style of Kachina dolls evolved from fingerless arms around the stomach to the sides, then straight out. Here are two pearls of wisdom: If you are being offered multiple old dolls from a single collection, look to see if any of the dolls have identical color usage and carving style that would indicate the same carvers hand. Kachina dolls symbolize Ketsinam, or spirits of nature. Organizations that offer antique appraisals online include: Out of the many hundreds of Hopi Kachina dolls that were carved in the 1800s and 1900s, only a few are worth a lot. The Black Ogre appears in this form to punish mischievous kids. The nose looks realistic and a ruff wraps around the neck. However, most of the Kachina dolls are from the late nineteenth century. The deer kachina doll stands for abundance, while the buffalo doll is revered for its ability to clear off worries and bad thoughts. Its to be expected, given that theyre old dolls, and age will catch up with them. 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. If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, please leave them below. Eagle - This doll represents the ruler of the sky and features feathered wings. What Does the Hopi word Kachina Mean? His first visit was in 1903. The most valuable dolls have little wear. The painted mouth is rectangular, triangular, or crescent-shaped, whereas the carved mouth can be horizontal (wide or narrow beard comes with a horizontally curved mouth), a beak, a tube, or a short snout. The common colors used were dark sage green, red ochre, pink, and yellow. Contemporary Hopi Kachina dolls are highly sought after, with a single large doll taking months to create, often to be sold within the first week of completion to either a high-end Indian art gallery or a collector who commissioned it. More often than not, Kachina dolls are usually depicted as dancing around a fire during the night, although this doesn't always necessarily have to be the case. The dances performed by men and boys are an integral part of Hopi life and culture. The style of dolls will vary between artists. 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. Your afternoon gaming sessions just got an upgrade with these super valuable Nintendo games we all loved as kids. The Kachina dolls are modelled after the Kachina society members in their ceremonial regalia. Most doll marks are found on the back of the head, on the torso, and sometimes the feet. Detailed painting of decorations and facial features. As a result, the majority of dolls made during this period had rough surfaces and noticeable flaws, some of which were poorly concealed with kaolin clay. First, the dolls had more realistic body proportions and were easier to distinguish between body parts. These people run with the men during the ceremonies. These spirit beings participate in ceremonies, bring gifts to the children, and help the people pray for good crops, plentiful wildlife, and good health for themselves and the earth. However, we can bet that youll unknowingly come across at least two fake Hopi Kachina dolls. Every one of these tribes put its unique characteristics into the dolls. The Hopi people believe that the Kachinas were spiritual beings who taught people how to live after they emerged from the kiva (a round chamber used for spiritual worship by the Hopi or Pueblo people. Children are nurtured in a carefully contrived enchantment, a world of spirits and magic. How do you identify a Kachina doll? Later on, the carvers began to attach bases using glue. Dolls carved in the 1700s and 1800s are generally the most expensive. Many Native American stories feature the corn woman (maiden), typically portrayed as a female Kachina or a Kachina mana. If you pay attention to the symbols, you may notice that these are not there just for decoration. Native American Navajo Made Clown Kachina Doll. 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. 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. Study on the go. They rarely look real when they are painted. The value of an antique kachina doll is dependent on multiple factors, including the type, age, size, condition, rarity, and provenance. Horns can be imitated or real animal horns. Lack of sandpaper and other wood finishing tools made it impossible to create smooth-surfaced dolls. Aholi Kachina is a beautiful doll that usually appears with a tall blue helmet and a colorful cloak consisting of colors that represents the flowers and the essence of summer and the likeness of Muyingwa, the Germ God. Kachina dolls, also knowns as katsina dolls, are symbolic and ceremonial Native American gifts. The tales portray the corn maiden as a heroine, and she appears in a variety of forms, from bride to ogress. In addition to manufacturing the dolls, the men would wear a mask representing the Katsinam for the ceremony and dance and offer chants. Unfortunately, there are also unscrupulous nonnatives who try and pass off Old Style carvings as vintage. 15 Most Valuable Antiques Salt And Pepper Shakers, Antique and Vintage Jewelry Box Value Guide, 15 Most Valuable Chinese Figurines: Identifying & Valuing, Different Kachina Dolls and Their Meaning, Determining the Value of your Kachina Doll, Where to Buy/Sell Your Antique Kachina Doll Online. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. These pieces are rarer than those produced during and after the twentieth century. How can you tell if a Kachina doll is real? eBayor Etsyare your best bets for buying or selling your antique kachina doll online. These are some of them: According to Kachinadolls.com, an ancient Kachina doll sold for $250,000. Most collectors associate Kachina dolls with those made by the Hopi, as they had the most active carvers. Welcome to Kachina Dolls: A SilverTribe.com Company Kachina Dolls Logo Home Navajo Kachinas Hopi Kachinas All Kachinas Bear Kachina Dolls Badger Kachina Dolls Buffalo Kachina Dolls Chasing Star Kachina Dolls Chief Kachina Dolls Crow Mother Kachina Dolls Eagle Kachina Dolls Hemis Kachina Dolls Hoop Dancer Kachina Dolls Hototo Kachina Dolls Their kind is dependent on what or who they represent. Antique Safes: Unlocking the Styles of the Past, There's something about the daunting look of an antique safe that just inspires the inner outlaw in everybody. The traditional era spans from 1850 to 1930. These so-called "Kachina dolls" are, at best, produced in an assembly-type fashion using Native employees so the dolls can be legitimately sold as Native American Kachina dolls. or Qatsina, means "life Bringer," in the Hopi language. Navajo Native Americans also created the wolf kachina doll, which represents a hunters guide. Of course, not everyone can afford to buy rare, valuable traditional Hopi Kachina dolls. Details can tell whether it is worth it or not. Unfortunately, you will often also see so-called "Kachina dolls", which are made to resemble crude Hopi dolls, in tourist traps, gas stations along I-40, corner road stands, and unreputable galleries. Style: The earliest dolls, from the 1880s to around 1900, are often very simple in structure and design. Fingers were added later on, and the arms were depicted to be in action. How much are they worth? Talented Maynard Dixon was a frequent visitor of Hopi. Their works do not reflect the devotion of the past. Pay more attention to the price of sold dolls than those still listed for sale. Look for the Maker's Mark. In a collection or array of kachinas, the Hemis doll is usually the tallest and most colorful, due in part to its tablet (head-dress). Antique Japanese Kimono Hina Doll Removable Head Long Black Hair Gold J54. The main tribe using Kachina dolls is the Hopi; however, other tribes also use them. 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. 3. She has also managed an online antiques community. Then we must congratulate you, cause youve made a fair decision. The regalia was also more detailed. The Kachina Dolls are of great value to many of us who dedicate the time to collecting them. This symbolizes the conduit the Kachina doll become between the people and the spirits. This assessment would reveal cracks, splits, paint overs, or broken parts. Kachinas carved as warriors or guards represent the men of valor who played important roles before, during, or after war. Kachina-doll; carved of wood; in the form of Mud Head Clown; circle of wood for base; kachina stands on base on right foot, left foot raised behind, arms outstretched; wears case mask on head with round protruberance on either side and one on back, pointed protruberance out top, all decorated with feathers; eyes and mouth protrude from front; painted reddish-brown with white markings, black . However, from 1945 to the present, the variations of the Hopi Kachina dolls figurines have multiplied, where its extravagancy has been increasing with the passing of time, bringing dolls with more realistic and detailed movements and badges. Occasionally juniper was used, which is a dense wood, but its use is mainly a rare exception. Antique Kachinas carvers used aniline paints and embellishments such as shells, straws, sticks, cotton, corn husks, leather, yarn, and feathers. Want to make your own Kachina doll? Though it is difficult to identify the dolls featured in Kachina Dolls 381, the screenprint presents them as objects representative of a . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. . Clothing that is painted on or created from fabric. The dolls are individually hand-crafted and painted. Authentic Kachina dolls were produced from the roots of cottonwood trees. In return, the Spirits gift the tribe rain and other individual needs. Katsina Dolls. The dancer is said to entertain his audience by dancing around with the rings. Figuring out a specific Kachina can be very difficult, particularly if the Kachina is not signed on the bottom. The Hemis kachina is considered one of the most beautiful Hopi katsinas. Other decorations include hand-painted or metal jewelry, unusual facial features, ruff around the neck, furs or feathers, and a few times handheld objects or props. The Heard Museum, the Museum of Northern Arizona, and the Millicent Rogers Museum all contain quality examples of early Kachina dolls. It signifies power and strength. Interestingly enough, despite its . 6 Vintage Hair Accessories to Rock Your Retro Look. Hoop dancer - This entertainer holds hoops and amuses audiences. They also believe that the spirits are crucial to their way of life, so they create dolls in the likeness of the kachina spirits they worship. Kachina dolls are physical representations of these spirits. 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The last is the Tithu; this is meant for Hopi girls aged 2 and up. It wasnt until the late action era (1945 to present) that they started giving them body features. There is more to Kachina dolls than the fact that they are made from cottonwood roots. Fraudsters can take advantage of this opportunity and produce a large number of Kachina doll replicas, copies that even pass for originals. However, commercial production declined in the early 1900s as Hopi grandfathers (elders) decided that tourists were not worthy of witnessing their religious ceremonies after an oppressive agent decided to stifle the Hopis religious and cultural rights. Valuation: Determining the value of vintage Kachina dolls (1880-1940) is dependant on many variables; one factor includes pieces created before the 20th century, which are rare and generally the most valuable. If youd like to get an idea of your kachinas value, look up similar dolls online. The rings are thought to be magical, representing the circle of life. Hopi Kachina Dolls and Their Carvers by Bassman, Theda|Balzer, Gene (Hardcover) $15.00 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. [2] Contents 1 Overview While hardly anyone's going around and cracking open bank safes anymore using stethosc, Drag Racing Memorabilia: History and Value, Drag racing memorabilia has its roots dug deep into the rise of automobile and youth culture in post-war America. Rare types, large examples, or dolls with a tableta, headdress, or an interesting/pleasing form visually can bring a premium. Jewelry that is painted or made of metal and other materials. Antique Hopi Kachina dolls cannot be in new condition, as age must have affected them. This piece is hand-carved with painted facial features. Regular mass-produced kachina dolls cost less than $500 most times. Indian Art Magazine is a good place to start. Types of Native American Kachina Dolls Antelope Badger Bean Bear Broadface Buffalo Warrior Butterfly Chief Corn Maiden Crow Mtakes youother Deer Eagle First Mesa Hemis Hoop Dancer Hototo Hummingbird Kokopelli Left Hand Lizard Medicine Man Morning Singer Mudhead Ogre (White & Black) Old Man Owl Priest Killer Rainbow Ram Red Tail Hawk Road Runner The collections are simply priceless. There were no distinctive features, and only the facial features would indicate that it was a kachina doll. Doll manufacturer marks are typically found on the back of the head or neck. An avid antiques collector herself, Kate has written about antiques for many years. The museum has a large collection of iconic Hopi Kachina dolls carved before and after the twentieth century. You can use the color of a Kachina doll to estimate its age. Why so much interest? The word "kachina" comes from the Hopi word "kachi," which means "spirit." Free shipping . The students will be able to identify kachina dolls as carvings that are used as a teaching aid to help children remember stories about the kachina. Kachina Dolls 381 by Andy Warhol is one of the ten screenprints featured in the Cowboys and Indians portfolio. Identifying Kachina Dolls . Pay attention to the details: While being a hand-carved figure, the Kachina dolls tend to have a rough or rustic style but do not stop to have realistic body proportions and no excessive detail. Dont be surprised if some of the dolls you find have broken parts. In addition to the boosted tourism and sales, artists began traveling in droves to witness the Hopi tribe and their cultural activities. They have fully carved facial features and are cylindrical in shape. Those trying to fake old dolls figure if one doll is valuable, then two or even three is even better; the greed factor reveals itself and helps undermine the forger. Native American Kachina Dollsare representations of spirits or personifications of things in the real world. Today, the dolls are often made from multiple pieces of cottonwood. Doll artists became creative and began carving out feathers on the dolls, resulting in a new Hopi art form known as kachina sculpture. Black ogre - This Kachina threatens naughty children, and his doll features a black head with large eyes and spikes or feathers. It sold for more than $500on eBay early this year. The carvers placed the arms very close to the body. Apr 23, 2019 - Found here are images of Hopi Indian Kachina Dolls that we have handled over the course of our career in this field. Contemporary dolls are valued more by the carver and the intricacy of the doll/sculpture. The bear kachina is considered second only to the Badger Kachina in terms of healing power. Special Price $467.99. There are over a thousand types of Kachina Dolls. 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. Hopi Kachina imagery has been an iconic symbol of the Southwest ever since the railroads first made their way across the region in the 1880s. With more than 5,000 different pieces of Jewelry and other Native American Art. 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 dolls mouths, just like the eyes, can either be painted or carved. 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 . The older and contemporary dolls are valued more, especially if they have unconventional intricacies. They are flat figures with just enough distinguishing characteristics to identify them as kachina dolls. You can get a sense of value by looking up your type of Kachina doll and determining what similar dolls fetch at auction. When the first kachina dolls were produced in the 1800s, they were straightforward in structure and plain in design. Tribes of the Southwest believed that aspects of nature could be personified by Ketsinam. Frequently made of wood, paint and feathers, all kachina dolls available were constructed with great care.Kachina dolls have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century. Cut two slits opposite each other in a toilet paper tube they should go about a third of the way up the tube. Although the production of a kachina doll began as a cultural practice, it has become increasingly commercialized. At first glance, an inexperienced person could refer to a Katsina doll as a voodoo object, but further investigation would prove that they arent. These clothes are either carved with wood or made from fabrics. It is said that the bear doll possesses great strength, which he uses to protect his people and heal their illnesses. Here, well explore the rich history, types, and meaning of kachina dolls. The Kachina figures' heads are crowned with birds' wings or imitations of animals' heads with horns. However, the process gets noticeably difficult in valuating the intended piece. Flat figures with just enough distinguishing characteristics to identify them as objects representative of a Kachina mana iconic of... Can you tell if a Kachina doll noting that intact antique dolls are iconic. Juniper was used, which he uses to protect his people and the intricacy of way. 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A premium, like the eyes, can either be painted or carved its worth noting that intact antique are. The boosted tourism and sales, artists began traveling in droves to witness the tribe... During that time span began as a cultural practice, it has become commercialized... And up or a Kachina doll began as a female Kachina or a Kachina doll online or.! To collecting them Badger Kachina in terms of healing power a good place to start were easier distinguish... And other individual needs before and after the twentieth century Kate has written about antiques many.