Mid-Century Hopi traditional "Old Style" bird Kachina doll, 1950's

A Hopi cottonwood "Old Style" Katsina/Kachina doll from the 1950s, hand-carved and painted with the bold, blocky proportions typical of dolls made for the trade market. The figure stands with arms at rest, painted in bands of yellow, coral, turquoise, and white, with a bird/owl form head and traces of original feather ornamentation at the crown. A painted turquoise and white necklace runs across the chest, and the lower body is finished in a white apron-style skirt over yellow leggings and turquoise boots.

Unlike standardized flat-base roadside curios of the era, this premium mid-century carving features fully separated legs and hand-sculpted individual feet, showcasing an exceptional level of traditional Hopi knife-work.

Katsina dolls are rooted in Hopi religious tradition, where these figures represent spirit beings central to ceremonial life. This particular piece was carved for the collector market rather than for ceremonial use, and reflects a craft tradition of deep cultural significance to the Hopi people.

DIMENSIONS: 2-3/4" W x 2-1/2" D x 6-1/4" H

ORIGIN: Hopi (Native American)

PERIOD: Early 1900s, before 1939

MATERIALS: Cottonwood root, polychrome paint, traces of original feathers

CONDITION: Good overall condition. Chips and fading to the paint. Losses to the feathers at the crown.