Female Kachina - Katsin'Mana - Lot 5

Female Kachina - Katsin'Mana Work by Wilson Tawaquaptewa(1873-1960) ? Hopi, Arizona Carved wood, pigments, feathers H. 29 cm (without base and feathers) 1930's Provenance : - Collection Galerie Flak, Paris - Collection Léo Scheer & Nathalie Rheims, acquired from previous owners between 1999 and 2003 The large Hopi Kachina shown here wears a cape or manta characteristic of female figures (Katsin'Mana). Mana always accompany and assist a male Kachina dancer during ceremonies. These girls then take the name of their associated character, to which is added the Hopi term "Mana", meaning "young girl". The symbols depicted on this Kachina (tricolored sections of the face, ears adorned with a terracotta-painted motif, snout featuring teeth in alternating black and white stripes) do not enable it to be precisely identified in the Hopi pantheon. However, various elements recall the style of Hopi sculptor and chief Wilson Tawaquaptewa (see the following lot for further biographical information). The general tone of the pigments and the unusual mix of symbols suggest that we may be in the presence of one of Wilson Tawaquaptewa's "made-up Katsinam" (invented Kachina dolls), described in detail by author Barry Walsh in his recent book L'Appel des Kachinas - Katsina Calling (pages 58-71).