Water Serpent Katsina

38909

From: United States of America | Arizona

Curatorial Section: American

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Object Title Water Serpent Katsina
Native Name Palulukon | Palolokong
Object Number 38909
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Hopi
Provenience United States of America | Arizona
Culture Area Southwest Culture Area
Section American
Materials Wood | Paint | Feather | String | Metal
Iconography Water Serpent | Snake | Rainbow | Flower Blossom
Description

Wooden Katsina doll. The face is unpainted with a red, plumed serpent on each cheek. The mouth is a black and red, protruding tube. An area between the eyes is painted with a yellow, terraced design. The ears are painted, round flower blossoms with feathers coming out. A painted brim with feathers sits above the forehead. Rainbows are painted on the back of the head. The body is painted red and white and a kilt is painted over the waist. This figure is the Water Serpent (Palolokong or Palulukon) Katsina. (Colton, H. 1959 #233, Wright, B., 1973 #198)

Height 30 cm
Width 9.5 cm
Credit Line Wanamaker Expedition to the Southwest, R. Stewart Culin, 1901

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