Antique Hopi Native American Eagle Kachina Doll Circa 1917 Cottonwood Feathers

Description

This is a Hopi Kachina doll from c. 1917 that was owned previously by an Apache. The doll was appraised by my grandfather to be worth more than ,800 - he was an antique dealer for three decades and dealt heavily in Native American jewelry and artifacts. It was at a time uncommon for Native families to sell their kachinas because of the spiritual importance of them and that these were extremely special gifts not to be sold - it is only recently in the 1900s that they became more commercially available. Native Americans would hang these from a wall or beam in their house to display. My grandfather was Cherokee and Seneca, and had his displayed on a wall. It has undergone some damage because it is made of cottonwood root which is a very soft, delicate wood. It was created using the old methods of using clay to to prime the body and traditional colored paints in tones of white, black, reddish brown and turquoise green which were highly symbolic to the Hopi. This kachina has pop eyes, a bill and/or beak and eagle feathers. This is most likely an Eagle Kachina which was a powerful revered bird in Hopi spirituality, symbolizing strength, vision and connection to the spiritual realm. It is approximately 24 inches - it is not meant to stand upright on its own - this style of kachina was usually hung for display so the feet were never designed with a base or to be perfectly flat. There is a lot of wear/repair - see photos. The paint is chipped away in many spots or faded from time. This kachina weighs 2 lbs, 14.6 ounces, the body is 6.5 inches with arms at its widest spot, and the feathers at their widest spot measure 11 inches from one side of the head to the tip of the feather at the other side. The kachina is also approximately 6.5 inches from back of the head to the beak in depth. Free shipping with signature confirmation & insurance.