Kachinas
Jacob Poleviyouma, is featured in Theta Bassman’s book, "The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry". This beautiful Sunface design, measures 3-3/4 inches in diameter, and was created in 1980 and purchased in Gallup, New Mexico, that year. The tips are handmade with matching Sunface overlay drops on the bottom. The artist died in 1982. The Sunface Kachina is the leader of ceremonies and considered to be essential for life.
Hopi Silversmith, Lawrence Saufkie, has been a silversmith from over 60 years. His father, Paul Saufkie, along with Fred Kaboutie, were the people responsible for developing the Hopi overlay style of jewelry in the 1930’s. Lawerence is credited for pushing to the art form it is known as Hopi overlay, today. Saufkie will be honored at the Santa Fe Indian Market this summer with a lifetime achievement award. The two bolos represent a Hopi Katsina face with multiple overlays of silver. The smaller piece was purchased that same year in Estes Park, Colorado. It measures 2 -1/8 inches wide x 2 inches, again with beautiful handmade silver tips. Because of his health, Saufkie now produces very little jewelry. The technique of Hopi overlay is that the designs are cut by hand (usually with one continuous cut) and soldered to the silver sheet below... which is incised with beautiful patterns of its own. Lawrence Saufkie jewelry is infinitely more then the sum of its parts.
Hopi Silversmith, Lawrence Saufkie, has been a silversmith from over 60 years. His father, Paul Saufkie, along with Fred Kaboutie, were the people responsible for developing the Hopi overlay style of jewelry in the 1930’s. Saufkie will be honored at the Santa Fe Indian Market this summer with a lifetime achievement award. The bolo represent a Hopi Katsina face with multiple overlays of silver.This larger piece, which is 4-1/4 inches wide by 3-1/2 inches tall, with hand-made sliver tips, was purchased in Flagstaff, Arizona, in 1985. Because of his health, Saufkie now produces very little jewelry. Overlay jewelry is made by applying silver layers, one over another, to create detailed scenes, masks, or patterns. Hopi overlay takes the process further by delicately incising the lower layer of metal to enhance the design. Prior to the overlay technique (1940's), Hopi jewelry was very much like the jewelry of other Southwestern Indian people of that time. Paul Saufkie was recently recognized by the American Museum of Natural History in NYC for his contribution to this art form.
Hilili Katsina is said to have originated in the Zuni Pueblo. Hilili is a Guard and he is admired for how fast he dances. The name comes from sounds he makes.
Philander Begay is creating detailed one of a kind Tufa cast sterling silver and 14 kt jewelry. Featured is a Mudhead Katchina that is dancing under a 14kt gold sun. This pendant measures 3 1/4 inches long including the bale, and is 1 1/2 inches wide. Philanders pieces are all one of a kind works of art, the process of Tufa is hand carving the mold from porous limestone, then molten silver is poured into the mold. the mold does not survive the process.
"Kwasa-Itaka"- Terry Lee Gasdia is a versatile artist carving in wood and stone. This carving is made of aged cottonwood root and painted with pigments, then decorated with feathers. In the tradition of Hopi doll carving, each Katsina has a special role during ceremonies and seasons. This Katsina is also called the Seed Katsina.
"Tawa"-Our Father Sun and "Hahai-i Wuhti"-Our Mother- Seasoned cottonwood root is painted with pigment and decorated with feathers. Father and Mother are sold as a pair, this is a unique offering. Terry has been learning and creating the KatsinaM culture his whole life. Call about these Katsina and you may reach Terry himself in the gallery to explain more about their significance in the Hopi ceremonies.
"Tablita Lady"- by gourd artist Robert Rivera of New Mexico. The headdress has a night sky with stars in it, the figure is decorated with turquoise, shells, feathers and leather. The body is the natural form of the gourd and left in the dried fruit color. She measures 11 3/4 inches tall.
Hemis Katsina is seen as the Going Home Kachina- he often has mature corn stalks in his hands. A good harvest is produced from his symbols of rain and clouds present in his beautiful headdress. Painted with earth pigments and adorned with feathers that are clouds and grass for harvest.
White Hemis Katsina by Chester Poleyestewa. Hemis is the farewell Kachina, appears when the Hopi leave the Mesa's for 6 months. He also brings cattails and mature corn to the people, proof of good rains. The terraced headdress represents dark clouds and rainbows. The colors of blue, red and yellow are the rainbow.
