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Antique Hopi HeHeya Clown Kachina Doll with Watermelon, circa 1900–1925
$9,500
£7,234.24
€8,261.04
CA$13,348.67
A$14,646.04
CHF 7,714.83
MX$174,230.07
NOK 98,826.03
SEK 90,241.66
DKK 61,717.95
About the Item
This rare antique Hopi HeHeya Clown Kachina doll, carved in the first quarter of the 20th century, is an exceptional example of traditional Hopi spiritual art. Hand-carved from wood and painted in vibrant natural pigments, the figure stands 11 ½ inches tall and measures 3 ½ inches wide by 3 ¾ inches deep. The HeHeya Clown is depicted in dynamic form, carrying a watermelon and a backpack—symbols that speak to his mischievous and paradoxical nature.
The HeHeya Kachina, also known as the HeHeya Clown, is a unique and culturally significant figure in Hopi ceremonial life. Primarily associated with Third Mesa, HeHeya serves as a humorous trickster and a sacred messenger to the rain gods. He speaks in opposites—saying "bad" when he means "good"—and performs during Powamuya (the Bean Dance), helping to ensure the success of the ritual and the fertility of the land. As a relative of the Ogre Katsinam, HeHeya blends comedy with protection, dancing on the procession’s edge and guarding other Kachinas.
This early 20th-century Kachina doll is both a rare collectible and a powerful representation of Hopi belief and artistic tradition. A striking addition to any collection of Native American art, ethnographic objects, or historic Kachina figures.
- Creator:Native American Art (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)Width: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)Depth: 3.75 in (9.53 cm)
- Style:Native American (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1st Quarter of the 20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:Denver, CO
- Reference Number:Seller: 261801stDibs: LU1004627922042
About the Seller
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