Hopi Pueblo Patung Squash Kachina Doll By Stewart Lanza

Late 20th Century

6.875" H x 5" L x 3.375" W

Hand Carved from Cottonwood Root with Fine Proportions and Details in Hands and Feet Holding a Rattle and Squash Blossom

In Very Good Condition

Stewart Lanza is a Hopi carver known for traditional Katsina (Kachina) dolls carved from cottonwood root, typically made in the late 20th to early 21st century. His works are collected for their authenticity, use of natural pigments, and attention to ceremonial details. Examples by him include Mudhead (Koyemsi), Mountain Lion, Buffalo, Mocking Bird, Kokopelli Mana, Soyoko Mana, Supai Uncle, and others. They often range from about 9–17 inches tall, hand-painted, and sometimes mounted on bases.

Patung, also known as the Squash Kachina or Paatangkatsina, is a significant supernatural spirit figure in the religious traditions of the Hopi and Zuni peoples of the American Southwest.  Embodiment of the squash plant, Patung serves as a guardian of agricultural fertility and healing practices. As the chief kachina for the Pumpkin Clan, this figure symbolizes the vital importance of cucurbits in sustaining Puebloan communities and is often depicted as a swift runner during ceremonies on First Mesa to invoke blessings for crop growth.