Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 2012-0003-0007   CAS 2012-0003-0007; Katsina
Category Carvings
Object Name Katsina
Culture Hopi
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Arizona
County Navajo
Other Geographic Data Hopi Indian Reservation; Third Mesa: Villages of Hotevilla and Bacavi
Maker's Name Ted Puhuyesva
Date of Manufacture ca. 1983
Collection Name N/A
Materials Cottonwood root; Paint; Feathers; Wool yarn
Description 3-dimensional but flat carving representing Koyemsi (Mudhead) katsina, in the form intended for use in a cradle as a baby’s first katsina carving; Figure’s head is painted rust brown with spherical knob at each side and on top to simulate the knobs on its actual head or mask; Eyes and mouth are representing by short, bulging circles with black centers; Clothing on stylized body is painted white with 3 red vertical stripes at bottom; One shoulder is turquoise colored and the other is mustard yellow, and these colors are reversed on the arms that had been held against the chest; Small feathers were originally attached to each knob on the mask; Length of black wool yarn is tied around neck to suspect figure from wall; Artist’s name and both Hopi and English name of katsina are printed in pencil on base.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 17.0, Width = 9.7, Depth = 2.6