Navajo Ogre Kachina Doll

Late 20th Century

11" H

Hand Carved from Cottonwood Root and Adorned with Fur, Leather and Feathers Holding a Spear and a Hatchet 

In Very Good Condition with Light Wear Typical of Age

A Navajo Ogre Kachina Doll is almost always a craft item made by Navajo artists specifically for the tourist and collector market. Navajo artisans began producing these figures in the mid-20th century (especially after the 1950s tourist boom on Route 66 and near the reservations). There was strong commercial demand for scary-looking “Ogre” or “Monster” Kachina figures. Navajo artists are skilled woodworkers and already had a carving tradition (especially with folk-art figures), so they filled the market gap.