$390.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Late 20th/Early 21st Century
9.5" H
Hand Carved from Cottonwood Root Painted in Teal, Red, Brown, Green, Black and White Colors Holding a Bow and a Wip
From a Private Colorado Collection
Excellent Condition
Tino (short for Celestino) is a kachina doll carver from First Mesa in Polacca, Arizona, where he and his wife, Geraldine, have raised six children. Tino is of the Kachina/Parrot Clan belonging to the Village of Sitsomovi (Sichomovi) at Hopi. He began carving kachina dolls in 1962, and with limited employment opportunities in fire fighting, he pursued carving to supplement his income. Tino is a self-taught artist who used books to study and practice carving anatomy. He continued carving while he worked other positions including being an auto mechanic and even assisting making dentures in Phoenix until about 1980. During that time, his carving talent was recognized and encouraged by collectors/photographers and authors, Lois and Jerry Jacka, and by traders Bruce and Ron McGee. There was a high demand for his dolls, and he has been carving ever since.
While some carvers are known for specializing in certain figures, Tino is known for his versatility, capturing the essence of a great variety of figures. His wife Geraldine often helps with the sanding and painting of the dolls. Their sons, Alexander, Preston and Darrell are also kachina doll carvers, and their four grandsons are helping to carry on this family tradition. Tino is the brother-in-law of Leo LaCapa, another noted carver of this family, who is of the Water/Corn Clan.
