Hopi Pueblo Kachina By Henry Shelton

Mid/Late 20th Century

18″ H x 4″ H Feathers Total 22″ H

Hand Carved from Cottonwood Root with Removable Helmet Style Mask with Red Disk Like Ears, Yellow Earrings, a Green Fur Cuff with a Citrus Fruit Headband

In Very Good Condition

Henry Shelton (19292016), whose Hopi name was Ho-yaoma (Arrow Carrying), was a renowned Hopi artist from Oraibi, Third Mesa, on the Hopi Reservation in Arizona. He was a master carver of katsina (kachina) dolls, as were his father, Peter Shelton Sr., and brother, Peter Shelton Jr. Sheltons work is celebrated for capturing the dynamic movement of katsina dancers, reflecting his unique style, and is highly sought after by collectors and museums, including the Smithsonian, Heard Museum, Brooklyn Museum, and Denver Art Museum. Sheltons dolls evolved from traditional block-like forms to highly detailed, action-oriented sculptures, especially after the 1970s when laws like the Endangered Species Act led to carved wooden feathers instead of real ones.

Hopi kachina dolls are carved from cottonwood root to represent katsinam, spiritual beings that bring rain, fertility, and harmony. Traditionally given to children during ceremonies (February and July) to teach about these spirits, they are also created for sale as artworks. Sheltons dolls, made in the 1960s1970s, often feature realistic proportions, detailed regalia, and bases for display, reflecting a shift toward the tourist market. His work blends traditional education with artistic innovation, adhering to Hopi beliefs while appealing to collectors.