Hopi Kachina Shalako Taka Doll By Lawrence Charley

Late 20th Century

17.5" H

Hand Carved from Cottonwood Root and on a Base

In Very Good Condition

Lawrence Charley II (from Kykotsmovi Village, Second Mesa, Hopi Reservation, Arizona) is a contemporary Hopi carver known for his detailed, traditional-style kachina dolls. He specializes in cottonwood root carvings that capture the essence of Hopi spirituality, often signing pieces as "L. Charley" or "Lawrence Charley II."

The Shalako Taka is a traditional figure in Hopi and Zuni Native American culture, often represented in carved wooden kachina (or katsina) dolls. These dolls are not toys but sacred representations of spiritual beings (kachinas) that embody natural forces, ancestors, and ceremonial roles. The Shalako Taka specifically is the male counterpart to the Shalako Mana (female), symbolizing messengers of the gods who bring rain, fertility, and prayers for moisture to arid lands. The ceremony involving Shalako figures is one of the most significant annual events, typically held in late November or early December after harvest, retracing ancestral migrations and invoking blessings for the coming year.