Hopi, Arizona
Circa 1920s
Cottonwood, pigment, feathers
Height 7½ in (19.1 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Southern California
The Ma'alo was among the most popular katsinam in Hopi dance ceremonies around the turn of the twentieth century, appearing regularly in the Niman dances alongside Hemis, Angak'china, and Kuwan Heheya, typically accompanied by his sister katsina Takurshmana dancing in a separate line beside him. His dance embodies a prayer for rain and good crop yield, placing him among the older traditional Hopi katsinam from the early period of katsina development. This example dates to the 1920s and is carved in the fully three-dimensional style of that period, with a cylindrical mask head featuring horizontal eye slits, a yellow beak projection, and a painted green and black band identifying the figure.
The body is painted in pink and yellow with geometric detail on the kilt and painted ankle bands, and the figure holds a staff in one hand consistent with the Ma'alo's ceremonial regalia. A feather headdress completes the figure in full dance dress. The surface retains original mineral pigment with honest wear and patina throughout, and the carving reflects the confident workmanship of Hopi katsina production during its most active ceremonial period.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Hopi, Arizona
Circa 1920s
Cottonwood, pigment, feathers
Height 7½ in (19.1 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Southern California
The Ma'alo was among the most popular katsinam in Hopi dance ceremonies around the turn of the twentieth century, appearing regularly in the Niman dances alongside Hemis, Angak'china, and Kuwan Heheya, typically accompanied by his sister katsina Takurshmana dancing in a separate line beside him. His dance embodies a prayer for rain and good crop yield, placing him among the older traditional Hopi katsinam from the early period of katsina development. This example dates to the 1920s and is carved in the fully three-dimensional style of that period, with a cylindrical mask head featuring horizontal eye slits, a yellow beak projection, and a painted green and black band identifying the figure.
The body is painted in pink and yellow with geometric detail on the kilt and painted ankle bands, and the figure holds a staff in one hand consistent with the Ma'alo's ceremonial regalia. A feather headdress completes the figure in full dance dress. The surface retains original mineral pigment with honest wear and patina throughout, and the carving reflects the confident workmanship of Hopi katsina production during its most active ceremonial period.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
