Catalog Archive
Auction 126, Lot 803

"[Lot of 21 - Hopi Kachinas]", U.S. Gov't Printing Office

Subject: Native Americans

Period: 1903 (published)

Publication: 21st Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology

Color: Printed Color

Size:
5.5 x 8.5 inches
14 x 21.6 cm
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These colorful collotype plates are probably the most sought-after from any of the BAE reports. They are from the report by the American anthropologist Jesse Walter Fewkes which describes in great detail his 1901 expedition to the Hopi Mesas. Believing that a series of pictures made by Hopi artists would be a valuable means of studying the symbolism of the tribe, he arranged for the best artists to make a series of drawings of all the kachinas that appear in Hopi festivals. The author originally hired an American artist, but in a brilliant move, hired instead three skilled Hopi artists. The men were Kutcahonauu (White-bear), Homovi, and Winuta. Unfortunately, the individual artist responsible is lost to us because the drawings were not specifically identified. Each plate has between two and six views of various Kachinas. The following is a partial list of the wonderful Kachinas represented in the collection; Buli Mana, Pautiwa, Hututu, Tcakwaina Taamu, Sio Humis, Sio Avatc Hoya, Sio, Woe, Alo Mana, Old Mask (Tcua Clan), Citulilu, Yuna, Hemico, Aya, Kona, Calako Mana, Patun, Paiakyamu, Lakone Mana, Paski, Ahulani, Alosaka, the Nakopan Personages, and many more. This collection represents more than one third of the Kachina plates present in the report.

References:

Condition: A+

All with attractive ivory age toning and beautiful color.

Estimate: $300 - $500

Unsold

Closed on 12/3/2008

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