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Katsina doll
Arizona
Poos’hum Katsina – Seed Katsina doll
Hopi
Carved wood (cottonwood) and natural pigments
Circa 1910
Height: 11 ¾ in. – 29.5 cm
Provenance
Ex collection Steve Nelson, USA
Ex private collection, California
Ex collection Galerie Flak
Ex collection François Meyer, Geneva
Pooshum Katsina 29.5 cm François Meyer / Galerie Flak
On request
Katsina dolls (or katsinam) represent spirits or gods from the pantheon of the Pueblo peoples in the American Southwest. Given to children, Katsina dolls constituted a pedagogical tool allowing them to familiarize themselves with the spiritual world and perpetuating knowledge of the founding myths on which their society was based.
According to the Brooklyn Museum, Poos'hum (Seed) Katsinam appear during the spring planting season. They bring seeds of all kinds that have been blessed by the Katsina spirits. Sometimes, Poos'hum is also called upon to aid in the germination of young plants.
The step-like markings on its cheeks represent corn seeds. The depiction of the ears as bird wings on the figure presented here is particularly distinctive and noteworthy for this character.
As stated by the Brooklyn Museum, the Poos'hum Kachina appears during the spring planting season (Hakitoonmuya). This kachina brought various seeds blessed by the gods. Sometimes, Poos'hum is also called upon to aid in the germination of young plants. The step-like markings on its cheeks represent corn kernels.
According to the Brooklyn Museum, Poos'hum (Seed) Katsinam appear during the spring planting season. They bring seeds of all kinds that have been blessed by the Katsina spirits. Sometimes, Poos'hum is also called upon to aid in the germination of young plants.
The step-like markings on its cheeks represent corn seeds. The depiction of the ears as bird wings on the figure presented here is particularly distinctive and noteworthy for this character.
As stated by the Brooklyn Museum, the Poos'hum Kachina appears during the spring planting season (Hakitoonmuya). This kachina brought various seeds blessed by the gods. Sometimes, Poos'hum is also called upon to aid in the germination of young plants. The step-like markings on its cheeks represent corn kernels.
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