Antelope Kachina Doll

Item number 1996.22.8 from the Brooklyn Museum.

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Description

Carved and painted figure with cylindrical head, protruding muzzle and partially flexed arms. The face is painted white and the hairline is described by a black, stepped border edged in red. The eyes are black rectangles and the muzzle is black with red lips and white teeth. Black circles are painted on the cheeks. The chest is painted half in brown and half in light blue with white lightning bolts on both sides. Brown and blue bands are painted on arms. The rest of the exposed body at waist and thighs is white with thin brown vertical lines. The kilt is painted brown with a multi-colored stepped star pattern and stripes. The figure wears brown painted boots or leggings. Black yarn ornaments the right wrist and headband. A tuft of feathers springs from the upper left part of the head. These attributes suggest the Hopi antelope kachina (see reference below). Condition is fair. The front of the right foot is missing and there is a structure in its place made with steel pins and resin. The figure is otherwise in tact. The doll presumably held something in the left hand which is now missing. The polychrome is stable but abraded at numerous points in the back. There are red waxy deposits on the back of the skirt. The doll is extremely dirty, especially the yarn and feathers on the head. References: Colton, Harold S., "Hopi Kachina Dolls with a Key to Their Identification (1977), fig. 7 (lower right) History: Formerly in the collection of Allan Chapman.