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Wood, cloth, bear skin, bone, and shells
1870 -1880
Height 12"
Provenance: The Guennol Collection, Brooklyn Museum
Alistair Bradley Martins, acquired in late 1940's
This collection began in 1947 when Alistair Bradley Martins became enamored of a few objects unlike any they had previously assembled. In all the decades of handling katsinas this is the most important example that I have had the pleasure of handling. Of the three hundred katsinas that are currently revered by the Hopi the Hon katsina is the great warrior that can overcome monsters. Through their knowledge of plant medicine and its administration, they are also thought to have the ability to heal the sick. Like other katsina spirits, the bear appears in mixed dances at springtime to bring rain. At other times, he dances with Chakwaina, another powerful warrior spirit. The dancer may have been originally in a bearskin costume, but in more recent times, other animal skins may have been used.
Most of the dolls representing the bear katsina have the skin depicted by painting. This example is very unusual in its use of bear skin, bones, shells, cloth etc associated with magic. A very early instructive device for children and never made for sale but for traditional use. Although of small size, it carries much of the spirit impact that the full - scale dancer must of had upon the Hopi. A rare object from the distant past.
Exhibition: The Guennol Collection: Cabinet of Wonders February 25 - May 7 2000: Brooklyn Museum
Publication: The Guennol Collection Volume III 1991, Alistair Martin - text by Alan Wardwell. pp 66 - 67.
