This is an Outstanding Estate Fresh old Hopi Kachina Doll from a longtime collector of Native American Art, Kachina's Rugs Pottery and other NA items.  This accumulation was just amazing and I was lucky enough to buy several pieces.  This piece is a RARE HAND CARVED 12" HOPI KACHINA " YO WE KILLED PRIEST " by TOM COLLATETA Jr I believe.  It is in very good condition as described above.  This piece is marked on the bottom with the carvers name.  The colors and the detail are very nice and the bonus of a 12" tall frame, just makes this Kachina rather stunning.   Note:  While this figure seems rather macabre, it should be understood within the Hopi's cultural and historical context.   During the Pueblo Revolt period of 1680, the Hopis participated in their own revolt - purging their villages of Catholicism by burning cathedrals and taking the lives of any priests who refused to leave.   Over time, a kachina was introduced to explain these events and also to take on the identity of those who participated in the bloodshed.   

ABOUT THE CARVER... Tom Collatetta, Jr is the grandson of Taft Collateta, Sr. and Sarah Collateta (potter); son of Tom Collateta, Sr. (carver) and Antonita Chosa a (Jemez potter, embroidery artist); brother of Nero Collateta, Prinston Collateta (carver) and Kathleen Collateta (potter). Collatetta, Jr. currently active carving Katsnias.

 Central to Hopi religion, Kachinas are supernatural beings believed to live on the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Arizona. Hopi men embody the Kachina spirits during ceremonies that take place between Winter Solstice and mid-July. The Hopis believe these spirits enable them to live in harmony with nature, ensuring rain, crops, fertility, and good hunting. The Hopi men impersonate these kachinas by wearing masks and dancing in the plazas of the villages. The dolls, which are carved replicas of the dancers, are given to the children so that they may learn about their people's traditions. The art of carving kachina dolls has evolved from the old-style blocklike figures into today's highly detailed, all-wood dolls with realistic form and action. Traditional, or Old-Style, Kachina Dolls were simple carvings given to Hopi children to teach them about their culture and the Kachinas that would be visiting during the upcoming ceremony. Over time, Kachina Dolls became more and more sophisticated and included bases for the dolls to stand on and showing the Kachina in “action”- such as dancing or hunting. All Kachina Dolls are carved out of the root of the Cottonwood tree. The Cottonwood tree’s vigorous roots travel far and deep in search of water. There is spiritual importance in this fact, as the Hopis are dry farmers in an arid part of Arizona and the search for water is of critical importance to their culture.  

***Please Note***  Due to the fragile nature of kachina dolls, we do not guarantee they will not break during shipping. My Feedback shows that I work hard to pack EVERYTHING WELL!!   With these fragile pieces, We do our best to pack them well, but due to their fragile nature and even with the best packing, small pieces can break off. If you are purchasing kachina dolls, please keep this in mind and if a piece breaks off during shipping, most any kind of wood glue or super glue will put it back in place. 

Please check out my item condition description above and check out my photos so that you will know exactly what you are buying because you are buying it as seen, as is, and as found.  Any questions PLEASE ask!   Thanks for looking at my Auctions & Buy it Nows, and PLEASE, check and see the other cool stuff I have listed currently!!   All quoted shipping costs include Insurance.   Additional shipping fees will apply for all Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. Territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and etc.)  Do not bid if you are from one of these without asking what those fees might be!   I do not guarantee the age or details of any piece I sell, I am not an expert on age or anything else and can only describe the items to the best of my ability, though I will NOT, knowingly anyway, sell reproductions. My descriptions are solely there to assist buyers finding the items and are not a guaranteed accurate description of the item in all cases. Ultimately the pictures we take serve as my description and it is your decision based on that to decide what you are buying.  If you do need information I have neglected to include, please don't hesitate to ask any questions.  I'll combine shipping on any items sold, ending on the same day, if possible.   I do reserve the right to change the posted delivery service as needed.  I do NOT guarantee ANY ebay GSP delivery!  I will show delivery to the GSP service provider, but once received by them, it’s their problem with you...not me!