How Do You Buy An Authentic Kachina Doll?
Kachina (or katsina) dolls, decorated sculptures hand-carved from wood, represent the more than 250 Hopi gods or spiritual beings. First created in 1880, kachina dolls now appear in art museums, galleries, trading posts and souvenir shops and range in price from tens of thousands of dollars to less than ten dollars. How can you identify an authentic kachina doll? Follow these steps. Do your homework. Consult books and view Web sites (see Resources) to learn about the tradition and the various kachinas or gods. Choose a favorite kachina or two and compare several examples of their representative dolls from your research. Become an expert on your favorite kachinas. Find a reputable source. Native American dances are great places to meet artists personally and ask them questions about their work; they’ll usually negotiate on price. Shops and Web sites associated with or sponsored by reservations or Native American groups and nations maintain strict standards for their merchandise. Handle
