Description:

Masau'u "Earth God" Katsina by Jonathan Day, Hopi - Hopi Kachina Doll Carving
Absolutely beautiful depiction of the Masau'u or Earth God Kachina. Jonathan Day's work is so recognizable because of the subtle use of color and distinct carving style. In this doll, with the exception of the feather on the head, it appears to be all one piece of wood.

Masau'u belongs to the group known as Chief Kachinas or Mongwi Kachinum. He is the deity that controls both the surface of the earth and the Underworld. In his capacity as ruler of the surface of the earth, he gave the Hopi their lands. As god of death he controls the passage of he dead into the Underworld and the movement of the kachinas emerging from the Netherland into the world of the living through the kivas.

DETAILS:
Artist: Jonathan Day, Hopi - signed
Size: 9 1/4" high Base: 3" diameter (approx.)
Materials: Cottonwood & paint
Condition: Excellent - from an estate

JONATHAN DAY
Born September 17, 1951 Residence, Hotevilla, Third Mesa, AZ
Jonathan Day is best known for his sculptural style Katsina carvings. 'I like to carve katsinas the way I see them, and I try to be as realistic as I can. Sometimes I sit for a couple of hours thinking about what I am going to make, what kind of stance I want the doll to have, where I saw the Katsina last, and what it was doing in the dance. I have a spiritual feeling for the dolls as I am carving ... I expect the Katsina dolls to come out nice ... The dolls today are a different form of art rather than the traditional Hopi carved doll.' NDN Arts recorded: 'Jonathan was born in the Hopi village of Hotevilla, Arizona. He attended college in California for a while before working as a carpenter. Jonathan decided to return home to the reservation.

He is married with three children. In 1980 he started carving full time. He is known for his ability to bring out the grain of the wood. Sculpture pose is the style he likes to carve because that is the way the Kachinas look when they are dancing. The artist spends time looking at the wood before carving to decide what Kachina would look best and how it will look. He believes that the Kachina has a soul and spirit when it is finished. (Bio from Schaaf book "Hopi Kachinas")

  • Dimensions: 9 1/4"H x 3"Diam.
  • Condition: Excellent- from an estate

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June 20, 2024 11:00 AM EDT
Indianapolis, IN, US

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