Hopi Pueblo Koshare Clown Kachina Doll By F. Healing

Late 20th Century

11" H

Hand Carved from Cottonwood Root and Adorned with Yarn and Raffia Wearing Blue Jeans and Eating Watermelon

In Very Good Condition

Fletcher Healing was a Hopi-Tewa carver from the Hopi Pueblo, great-grandson of the renowned potter Nampeyo of Hano and grandson of Annie Healing Nampeyo. Unlike many in his family who focused on pottery, he specialized in carving katsina dolls from cottonwood root, with pigments, and sometimes added materials like corn husk or yarn. He became particularly well-known for his seated Koshare Clown figures, often depicted in playful, humorous poses—such as holding or eating watermelon slices—reflecting the clown's role in ceremonies.

The Koshare (or Koshari, Hano Clown) is a sacred clown in Hopi tradition. These clowns appear during Katsina ceremonies to entertain, teach moral lessons through antics, enforce social norms, and bring humor and balance to the community. They are typically painted in bold black-and-white stripes, with exaggerated features, and often shown in mischievous or gluttonous poses (like devouring watermelon, a common motif symbolizing abundance and fun).

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.