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.
By Qöyangnuvtu Mowa, a Sösöpa or Cricket katsina is 6.25 inches high to the top of the head and $75. (Santa Fe). The next three are by Max (Mahkewa) Curley and are in TUCSON: Two Hilili, split from the same section of root are each 14 inches tall and $165. The first has Jupiter on one side of its face and a shooting star above it. The other, with a snake motif as art of the headdress and reflective of the snake dance kilt they wear, has a rattlesnake body and tail on the right side of its face and is SOLD, a Paakqwa or Frog, 11.5 inches tall and $110.
Above is a Honani or Badger katsina by Mahkewa. 154 inches high and $185.
To the right is a fabulous Eagle by him. 19 inches tall and $240.
Both in TUCSON
By Augustine Mowa III, a Sólàawitsi, 8 inches tall and $60. The next one in the row is by Hongvi Marquez, a Hilili. 10 5/8 inches and $80. Last in the row is a Kisa or Prairie Falcon by Randy Brokeshoulder. 8.5 inches high and $75. (ALL IN SANTA FE)
By Justice “juice” Tso, a Saiastasana or Longhorn katsina is 8.25 inches high to the top of the head and $80. A Hahay’iwuuhti or Grandmother katsina by Qöyangnuvtu Mowa, she is 6 5/8 inches high to the top of her head and $75. A Tewaquaptwa style doll** by Ryon Polequaptewa, this one is 10.75 inches high and $150. (ALL in SANTA FE)
** This doll is based on a tihu carved by Wilson Tewaquaptewa. Tewaquaptewa (1873-1960) was the last traditional kikmongwi of Orayvi village. He began carving in his very distinctive style in the 1920s. His dolls often suggest specific katsinas but in each case are in fact an amalgam of different katsinas.
Each of these are by Larry Melendez, of the Butterfly Clan from the village of Sitsom’ovi on First Mesa. They average by 5.5 inches tall and each is $30. From left to right, top to bottom: Two Qöqölö (yellow for south and black for north), frog, two different feathered Taawa/Sun, and a Hahai Wuuhti. (TUCSON)
The Katsinmana is made by Devon Poseyesva, 10 inches high and $75. A cute little Hahay’iwuuhti by Carl Nequatewa, 4.75 inches high to feather tip and $25. A Palhikwmana or Butterfly Maiden by Qöyangnuvtu Mowa, she is 7 inches high to the top of her head and $70. (ALL in SANTA FE)
A Sootukwnangwu or Sky Deity by Leander Tenakhongva, 20.75 inches high to the feather tip and $185. (SANTA FE) By William Gashweseoma, a Sohu or Star katsina measuring 6.25 and $70. (SANTA FE) A Sakwa Matya or Blue Hand katsina by William Gashweseoma, 8.5 inches high to the top of the head and $75. (TUCSON) A Kwaakatsina or Eagle katsina by Hongvi Marquez. 10.5 inches high to feather tip and SOLD.
The first two dolls in the row above are by Eric Holmes. First is a Moosa, 13.5 inches high to feather tips and $120. Next is an Avatshoya, 7.75 inches high to feather tips and $60. The next two are both by Ryan Gashweseoma. The Blue Badger is 13 7/8 inches high to feather tip and $150. The last one in the row is an old style Sootukwnangw or Sky Deity, 14.25 inches high and SOLD. (ALL in SANTA FE)
By Manuel Chavarria, a Masaaw, 11 3/8 inches high and $180. Next is a Tewaquaptewa** style doll by Ryon Polequaptewa. This one is 12 3/8 inches high and SOLD. Last in the row is a Honankatsina or Badger katsina by Qöyangnuvtu Mowa. 6 5/8 inches high to feather tips and $65. (ALL in Santa Fe)
** This doll is based on a tihu carved by Wilson Tewaquaptewa. Tewaquaptewa (1873-1960) was the last traditional kikmongwi of Orayvi village. He began carving in his very distinctive style in the 1920s. His dolls often suggest specific katsinas but in each case are in fact an amalgam of different katsinas.
A Hahai’iwuuhti or Grandmother katsina by Eric Kayquoptewa. 15 inches high to the top of her head and $160. (SANTA FE)
A Palhikwmana by Raynard Lalo. 21 inches to top of tablita. $300. (TUCSON)
This Qööqöqlö by Ryon Polequaptewa is ~14 inches and is $400.
To combat the intrusion of non-Hopi traditions, specifically Santa Claus and Christmas, he was assigned the task of taking presents to Hopi children just before Christmas Day. He is also known as a storyteller
