Hopi Pueblo Route 66 Style Thunder Kachina Doll By Pooley

Mid/Late 20th Century

5" H

Hand Carved from Cottonwood Root and Painted in Red, Yellow, Teal Black and White Colors with 2 Red Feathers

In Very Good Condition

The Hopi Pueblo Route 66 Style Thunder Kachina Doll by Pooley is a vintage or mid-20th-century hand-carved katsina (kachina) doll made by members of the Pooley family, Hopi artisans known for producing these in a distinctive, tourist-oriented "Route 66" style.

Route 66 style kachina dolls emerged in the mid-20th century, particularly along the historic Route 66 highway in the American Southwest (including Arizona, near Hopi lands). These are typically smaller, simplified, brightly painted wooden carvings from cottonwood root, designed as souvenirs for travelers. They feature bold colors, basic forms, and less intricate detailing compared to traditional ceremonial Hopi katsinam, which are more sacred and detailed. The Pooley family (including Emil Pooley, his sons George and Leroy Pooley, daughter Grace Pooley, and others) became well-known for carving in this accessible, collectible style, often signing pieces "Pooley."

The Thunder Kachina represents a figure associated with thunder, rain, and guardianship—often appearing in dances to call for storms and protect ceremonial spaces. In Route 66 versions, it's stylized with characteristic features like a blocky head, bold facial markings (e.g., black and white designs), vibrant body paint, and minimal feathers or attachments.