Native American Hopi Kachina Doll and Navajo Kachina Dolls

"White Bear" Katsina by Hopi artist, Elgean Joshevama, Jr. from Second Mesa, Arizona

Elgean Joshevama Jr.  Village affiliation, Lower Moencopi and Oraibi village.  From the Sun Clan uses Sun symbol as hallmark.  Elgean has won 1st place and honorable mention at the 2003 Gallup Intertribal Ceremonials.  He makes one piece dolls (carved from one piece of wood) and has been carving for 15 yrs.  He uses oil base paint on his kachina dolls.

The Kocha Hon Katsina (White Bear) is of such great strength and it is believed to be very powerful and capable of curing bad illnesses.  They are also great warriors.  He is probably most familiar in the Mixed Katsina Dance and occasionally as side dancers for the Chakwaina Katsinas.

Katsina Sun Tawa Cradle Doll by Hopi artist, Gary Hayah

$79.95, free shipping

Carving kachina dolls is popular with the Hopi, in fact it is the main source of income for the majority of the Hopi artists. Almost every young Hopi male has learned to carve kachina dolls. Carving is a requirement for bean and home dances, and many continue to use this skill to provide for their families. This is an art, that when mastered, make the artist and his work very famous. Hopi kachinas can be found in collections all over the world.  Authentic Hopi Kachina dolls can be pricey and quantities limited compared to many cheaper imitations that are currently on the market.

A full figure kachina doll is considered to have all body parts carved, and is considered the standard. Full figure kachina dolls are usually carved with more details and are priced higher than the fast carved sculpture dolls. Sculptures haven't been on the market very long, they Sculptures are faster to carve as compared to a full figure doll. Sculptures you may carve several dolls figures on one piece of wood and are normally taller. The majority of the younger Hopi artisans now carve sculptures.

A one piece doll is referred to as one whole kachina with no attachments. All body and other parts are carved from the same wood. These are more time consuming and requires a lot of patience, some carvers are now starting to use machinery to carve, it cuts down the carving by a third.