Hopi Parrot Kachina / Kyash by Max Curley

**Originally Listed At $300**

Max Curley (Hopi, Qaowungwa, 20th to 21st century). Kachina. Carved cottonwood with yarn and plumage, n.d. Artist's initials, "Hopi," and corn symbol inscribed on underside of feet. A remarkable kachina doll carved from cottonwood and painted by Hopi artist Max Curley to represent the Parrot Kachina or Kyash with a prominent beak, protruding ears, and a bird's head with plumage on the top of his helmet mask. The figure holds additional plumage which, like the feathers on his head, are likely from a quail and a macaw. Cottonwood is culturally symbolic because the cottonwood tree, once abundant in traditional Hopi lands, grows where water flows - thus, looking across a landscape, lines of cottonwood trees denote a water source in the desert. Kyash has an obscure history whose purpose seems to be one of bringing summer growth plus the increase of parrots. Size: 3.8" W x 8.4" H (9.7 cm x 21.3 cm)

Artist Statement: "Hello I'm Max Curley, my Hopi name is Puhuhongva. I come from the Hopi village of Musungnovi located on Second Mesa in Northern Az. I am Qa?wungwa (Corn Clan). As a child I watched my older brother work with different mediums of art, from carving to modern graffiti he was a big influence to me. Later looking for my own muse, I picked up a piece of paako and taught myself how to carve and develop my personal style. Meeting local carvers that gathered at the Hopi Cultural Center were huge influences as well. Observering [sic] and getting to know the local carvers I was further introduced to the 'traditional style' of carving. This began my long and loved journey with natural hand collected mineral paints. Since then I've been carving traditional style working and developing my craft. My work has traveled across the United States and even as far as Japan and for that I am very thankful."

Please note this item falls under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and is not eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.

Provenance: private Don Phelps collection, owner Todos Santos Trading Post, Alamo, California before 2000.

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#180224
Condition Report: Artist's initials, "Hopi," and corn symbol inscribed on underside of feet. Some minor nicks to surface, but otherwise intact and excellent.