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Overview
A pair of hand-carved and painted kachina dolls, each on its own round wooden base. The first is a Butterfly Girl with a turquoise and yellow mask, red cheek spots, a carved black hairstyle, and flat wooden butterfly wings painted orange, black and white on her back. She wears a black dress with a red-striped shawl and a blue skirt, and holds her hands together in front of her. The second, titled "Protection" on its base, has a red face with a blue stripe and an open mouth, a white fur headdress and fur leggings, black-and-white spotted arms and legs, and feathers in each hand and at the head. Leather ties with small shell beads hang from the waist and wrists. Together they make a colorful pair for a shelf, bookcase or display cabinet.
Background
Kachina (Katsina) figures represent characters from the ceremonial life of the Pueblo peoples of the American Southwest, and the Butterfly Girl is a well-known subject. Both dolls are signed. The Butterfly Girl base is handwritten "Butterfly Girl", "Hopi", a year that reads 2005 or 2008, and "By V L" (the surname is hard to read). The second base is written "Protection" and "By: Nelson" in red. We have not independently verified either maker or their tribal affiliation.
Condition
Good condition. The Butterfly Girl has a small spot of paint loss on the top of her head, and there is light wear to the paint on both dolls. The feathers, fur and leather ties are delicate. Please see all photos.
Dimensions & Weight
The Protection doll is 9.5 x 5.8 x 3 inches and the Butterfly Girl is 9.2 x 3.2 x 2.8 inches (H x W x D). Together they weigh about 6 oz.
Shipping
Free standard shipping within the US, packed securely.
