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Kachina Doll (Koyala)

Arts of the Americas

CULTURE Hopi Pueblo
MEDIUM Wood, pigment
  • Possible Place Made: First Mesa, Arizona, United States
  • DATES late 19th century
    DIMENSIONS 11 x 3 1/2 x 3 3/16 in. (27.9 x 8.9 x 8.1 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas
    ACCESSION NUMBER 04.297.5525
    CREDIT LINE Museum Expedition 1904, Museum Collection Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Painted Koshare clown kachina doll with a sad face. During ceremonies clowns provide much fun and merriment but they also do personify supernatural beings and serve an important social function. They serve as every person’s social conscious and are quick to ridicule and point out transgressions through their antics. No one is safe from their ridicule Hopi and non-Hopi individuals alike.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Hopi Pueblo. Kachina Doll (Koyala), late 19th century. Wood, pigment, 11 x 3 1/2 x 3 3/16 in. (27.9 x 8.9 x 8.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1904, Museum Collection Fund, 04.297.5525. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 04.297.5525_transp6241.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 04.297.5525_transp6241.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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