Authentic hand-carved Hopi Katsina (Kachina) doll by Ernest Chapella (First Mesa, Hopi, d. 1997), a highly respected and award-winning Hopi artist recognized for his exceptional craftsmanship and traditional carving style.
Chapella is included in Gregory Schaaf's landmark reference, Hopi Katsina: 1,600 Artist Biographies, and is regarded as an important contributor to the development of contemporary Hopi carving during the latter half of the twentieth century. His work is admired for its traditional accuracy, expressive facial features, careful attention to detail, and intricate applied elements that bring each Katsina figure to life.
Character Identity: Yowe (The Priest Killer)
The text on the base clearly designates the figure as "YOWE".
The History: Yowe is one of the most powerful and serious Ogre Katsinam in Hopi culture. He represents indigenous resistance against Spanish colonization, specifically commemorating the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. Legend states that a Hopi warrior named Yowe executed an oppressive Franciscan priest during the uprising.
Visual Iconography: Because of this historic event, Yowe is often referred to as the "Priest Killer". He is traditionally depicted holding a weapon or a warrior's staff, featuring bulging round eyes, wide ears, and a fierce, toothy grin meant to symbolize the power to execute punishment and protect Hopi religious freedom.
This example displays the craftsmanship and artistic precision associated with Chapella's work, featuring detailed carving, painted decoration, and multiple dimensional elements. Collectors of Native American art and Hopi carvings recognize Ernest Chapella's works as representative of a significant period in Hopi artistic tradition.
An excellent opportunity to acquire an authentic work by a documented and highly regarded Hopi artist whose carvings remain sought after by collectors of Southwestern and Indigenous art.
Artist: Ernest Chapella
Tribe: Hopi (First Mesa)
Medium: Hand-carved and painted wood Katsina doll
Reference: Listed in Gregory Schaaf's Hopi Katsina: 1,600 Artist Biographies
Date: 20th Century
Keywords: Ernest Chapella, Hopi Kachina Doll, Hopi Katsina, Native American Art, First Mesa Hopi, Indigenous Art, Southwestern Art, Tribal Art, Hand Carved Kachina, Hopi Artist, Arizona Native American Art, Collectible Kachina Doll, Estate Auction, Hopi Carving.
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