Kachina featuring the Navajo spirit - Tasap Katsina - Lot 10

Kachina featuring the Navajo spirit - Tasap Katsina Hopi, Arizona Cottonwood root, pigments, feathers and fibers H. 8 cm (without base and feathers) Mid-twentieth century Provenance : - Collection Galerie Flak, Paris - Collection Léo Scheer & Nathalie Rheims, acquired from previous owners between 1999 and 2003 Standing tall on her short legs and richly adorned, this figure represents the Kachina Tasap spirit. This figure from the Hopi pantheon symbolizes the Navajo (or Diné) neighbors. His appearances are frequent at dances on the three mesas. The Navajos, whose territory surrounds that of the Hopi (Hopitutskwa), frequently led raids against them. Great warriors, the Navajos dyed their hair red during their attacks, which explains the red visor visible on this sculpture. The black lines on the cheeks are warrior's marks. The idea behind the Tasap Kachina dance is that some of the warrior power that characterizes the Navajo, if the Hopi succeed in conciliating the Tasap spirit, could reflect on the entire village and strengthen the character of its inhabitants.