Flat Dolls-Putskatihu

Also called "cradle dolls' because they are given to Hopi infants, Putsqatihut or flat dolls are the very oldest form of katsinas dolls among the Hopi. After a child has gone through his or her naming ceremony 20 days after birth, the first one received is the Hahay'i wuuhti or katsina grandmother. The next is the katsinmana or katsina maiden. After that they may receive any katsina doll. The katsinas themselves carve them for the young girls who continue to receive them (usually more fully formed and detailed ones as they grow older) until they are initiated into the Hopi Katsina Society. 

Both by Larsen Harris Jr of Musangnovi on Second Mesa. The Crow Mother is 17 inches tall and $240. Larson went all out on the Hemis katsina, creating a beautiful flower motif pattern on the reverse. 22 inches high. $325. (SANTA FE)

All by Nick Brokeshoulder. From let to right: Maasaw, 18 inches high. $90, A Lenang or Flute katsina. 13 inches high SOLD. An Aya or Rattle katsina, 10 inches high to feather tips. SOLD. Hoho Mana, 12.25 inches and $40. Honan or Badger katsina (SOLD). (SANTA FE)

All by Augustine Mowa and all in Santa Fe and each is 5 inches high and $25 except for the Left-handed Hunter. Left to right: Sun(SOLD), Sólàwitise, SIkya Matya (Yellow Hand), and Sakwa Matya (Blue Hand). The Left-handed Hunter at the far right is 8.5" inches and SOLD.

The Throwing Stick or Putskòokatsina above was made by Wayland Namingha Jr. $80.  The Koo'ah katsina is by Nick Brokeshoulder. $40 (SANTA FE)

According to an old Hopi story, the Hopi people fell ill. The epidemic was so widespread through the villages that the people were starving. It was a group of Navajo who showed up and fed them and nursed them back to health. The Koo’áakatsina katsina commemorates this event and the Navajo people.

All by Larsen Harris Jr. of Musangnovi Village:  Tsilisona, Hahai Wuuhti (SOLD) and Aya (Rattle). Each $60 and in SANTA FE.

Carved by Augustine Mowa III. Hahai'i Wuuhti and Susöpa (Cricket) Averaging about 4 inches high $25 each. (TUCSON)

An Early Morning katsina by Horace Kayquoptewa. 8.5 inches high and $48. (TUCSON)

This Taawa (Sun) katsina was made by Jared Quamahongnewa. (TUCSON)

The Sohu or Star katsina is by Craig Grover. of Sitsom'ovi Village on First Mesa. 10.5 inches high. $90 (TUCSON)  The Nuvakmana - Snow Maiden by Larsen Harris Jr. is 10 3/8 inches high and $90. (SANTA FE)

Hahai'i Wuuhti by Clark Tenakhongva, who was among the first to revive the old style dolls that have become so popular. 16 inches high $130. (TUCSON)