$695.00
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Late 20th Century
11" H
Hand Carved from Cottonwood Root with Great Carved Detail and Holding a Saw
In Very Good Condition
The Poleahla family includes several noted Hopi carvers (e.g., John Poleahla Sr., John Poleahla Jr., Edward Poleahla, Wayne Poleahla, Adrian Poleahla), many from First or Second Mesa, known for detailed, traditional-style Katsina carvings. Pieces like this Ogre doll often appear in galleries, auctions, or online marketplaces.
The Black Ogre (Nata-aska), and the White Ogre (Wiharu), are disciplinarians who appear around the time of the Powamuya Ceremony. Both carry a saw (sometimes a knife) as well as a bow and arrows for hunting. Their outstanding feature is their long, flapping jaws, which they can clack quite loudly. The purpose of these Katsinas is to reinforce the Hopi way of life to the children of the Pueblo. These Ogres accompany Soyoko on her trip to collect food from the children. As a means of discipline, children are told the Ogres can swallow them whole, unless they are good little children. The fierce and threatening behavior of these Katsinas strikes fear into the children, but they are eventually saved from imminent danger by the people of their Pueblo. Anglo's would call these Katsina the boogeymen.
Due to the fragile nature of kachina dolls, we do not guarantee they will not break during shipping. We do our best to pack them well, but due to their fragile nature and even with the best packing, small pieces can break. If you are purchasing kachina dolls, please keep this in mind.
