Hopi Pueblo Miniature Sun Kachina Doll By Stewart Dukepoo

Late 20th Century

2.75″ H x 1.5″ L x 1.5″ W

Hand Carved from Cottonwood Root of a Sunface with a Shadow Sun on the Base Painted in Red, Teal, Yellow, Green, Black and White Colors Holding a Rattle and Bell with a Feather with Feathers Around the Sunface

From a Private Colorado Collection

In Very Good Condition

Stewart Dukepoo was a renowned Hopi artist known for his award-winning carvings, especially his delicate, precise miniature katsinam made from cottonwood root. These miniatures, often around 23 inches tall, showcase exceptional detail, grace, and traditional painting despite their small scale.

Dukepoo’s work, including various miniature katsinam (like Chicken, Tasap/Navajo, Rattle, and Chili Pepper versions), dates back to at least the 1980s and earlier pieces (some 25+ years old in older listings). His Sun Kachina miniatures appear in collector auctions and sales, described as rare and finely executed.

Tawa, the Sun Katsina, symbolizes the life-giving power of the sun and is associated with warmth, growth, and ceremonies like the winter solstice (Soyal) to encourage the sun’s return. Traditional depictions often feature a colorful round mask (split with rays or shield-like elements), feathers representing sun rays, and items like a spruce branch or bell. Miniature versions by artists like Dukepoo capture these elements in compact, collectible form.