Katsinas are powerful spirits to the Hopi Pueblo People. Katsina dolls are representations of sacred beings and are not sacred themselves. Katsina doll carving styles and techniques have evolved over the years. The oldest dolls were fashioned using flint or obsidian blades, then sanded with sandstone, coated with white tuuma clay and finally painted with mineral and vegetable paints. Nowadays, pocketknives, X-ACTO knives and handheld electric and wood-burning tools are utilized. Colorful acrylics often adorn them too as seen in Adrian Leon's Hopi Wood Carrier Katsina doll. Carved from cottonwood, other additions include pipe cleaner, cloth, embroidery thread and twigs. Including base, measurements of this wonderful miniature doll are about 2 3/8" tall, 1 1/2" wide and 1" deep. Signed by the artist.
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