In my book Collecting Kachina Dolls 1880-1940, I explain that the cutoff for collecting old katsinam is 1940. It would be impossible to assemble a complete collection of katsina dolls because there are hundreds of different dolls among the Hopi and Zuni. There are a number of old dolls that do not appear in current dances and can’t be identified, even by the Hopi or Zuni. Other types may not be available for purchase. For example, Zuni dolls were never made for sale and consequently there are fewer of them. This is also true of dolls from other pueblos.
Hopi Hishot katsina, cottonwood root, ca. 1890, 9 in.
Because there are so many dolls, collectors may want to consider a theme that would unite the dolls assembled in one collection. For instance, a collector might decide to illustrate the evolution of dolls, or to collect only dolls from a certain dance or ceremony.
One can spend several hundred or even thousand dollars for a single carving. Price is dependent on age, size, condition, aesthetics and rarity. Some old dolls may have some parts missing, such as an object or rattle carried in the hands or part of a foot. This generally does not affect the price or the doll’s desirability. Usually the feathers are missing or illegal on old dolls. Many feathers are illegal for non-Native people to own except turkey, chicken and parrot feathers.
Hopi dolls are made from cottonwood root, though dolls outside of Hopi can be made of pine. The paint on old dolls could be mineral or tempera paint, or both pigments may have been used on the same doll.
My advice to a person who wants to begin collecting from this exciting category, is to purchase dolls from someone who is extremely knowledgeable on the subjects. Katsinam are a vast subject, and there are many forgeries. Only an experienced expert can tell you what is real and what is not. —
Powered by Froala Editor
