Navajo Hoop Dancer Kachina, Hand-Carved Cottonwood — Signed

A hand-carved Hoop Dancer Kachina figure attributed to a Navajo artist, depicting the ceremonial dancer mid-performance with two rattan hoops — one in each hand — and a third resting at the feet. The carving captures the figure in motion: torso angled, arms extended, feet planted on a slice of natural cottonwood root. The headdress combines white fur with a burst of russet-dyed feathers, while the face is painted in the classic Hoop Dancer palette of black, white, turquoise, and earthen red with rectangular features.

Costume detailing is dense and tactile: tan suede cuffs at the wrists and ankles, a kilt accented with real cowrie and conch shells, painted gauntlet-style gloves with red geometric markings, and tufts of long white fur at the calves and shoulders. The Hoop Dance is a story dance performed across many tribes, using the hoops to form eagles, butterflies, globes, and other symbolic shapes representing the cycles of life. This piece is built for display, with a strong silhouette from every angle and a presentation base of unfinished cottonwood that grounds the figure.

CONDITION

Good overall. Paint, fur, feathers, shells, and leather wraps are intact and secure. Light handling wear consistent with display; cottonwood base shows natural checking and a small split as expected of the material.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall: 10" H × 6" W × 3.5" D
• Materials: Hand-carved wood, hand-painted, feathers, fur, leather, sea shells (cowrie and conch)
• Signature: Present; indiscernible
• Tribal Attribution: Navajo
• Base: Natural cottonwood round
• Campbell's Soup Can (4" H) Shown for Scale — Not Included