Zuni Kachina Clown Ne We Kwe Doll By William Lucio

ca. 1997

3.5" H x 2" D

Hand Carved from Cottonwood Root in One Piece 

Excellent Condition

William Lucio is a skilled carver of Hopi and Zuni heritage, best known for his detailed clown kachinas. He apprenticed under his uncle, Marlin Pinto, a celebrated Hopi artist famous for his clown carvings. Lucio's works blend traditional techniques with expressive humor, often using cottonwood root for the body to symbolize the wood's spiritual connection to the earth. His pieces are collector's items, frequently featured in galleries specializing in Native American art.

Clown kachinas, like Ne We Kwe (a Zuni variant of the sacred clown figure), embody humor, satire, and social commentary, often mimicking outsiders (such as "the white man") to entertain and impart moral lessons during ceremonies.