The Kachina Motel
 All content copyright 2013 Peggy DeMouthe     ® The Kachina Motel
About The Kachina Motel
​Peggy DeMouthe, is a long-time collector who is happy to answer your questions and provide information about the guides or any of the items available for sale on the site. We can also refer you to experts for qualified appraisals and other needs. Please take a few moments and look around; new items will be added regularly, so it’s always worth checking in at the Kachina Motel. 

All items shown on this site are guaranteed to be authentic and as described. Available products are linked to our Trocadero site, where ordering and payment are easy. 


FAQs

Which is correct, "kachina" or "katsina?"
"Kachina" is usually how non-Hopi people say the word, but as there is no "ch" sound in the Hopi language, "katsina" is closer to the correct pronunciation. However, there is no real rule and both terms are correct. You will see "katsina" used more often in publications and auction catalogs as awareness grows.

Is the Kachina Motel a real motel?
No; the shop name and its logo are inspired by the retro motels along old Route 66, where many people first learned about collecting Hopi arts.

Do you have a brick and mortar storefront we can visit?
No, this is strictly an online operation. Please feel free to contact us with any questions and we will try to be as “in-person” as possible in our customer service. We occasionally put items up on Ebay and will have a booth at regional Native American arts markets in Northern California. It’s our hope that our online storefront will enable us to provide personalized, centralized service.

Where can I learn more about Hopi kachinas?
Books, articles, and scholarly studies have been written about kachinas for more than 100 years; there are many easily-available books for your reference. Four of the ones that would be most helpful to beginners are:
  • Barton Wright, The Complete Guide to Collecting Kachina Dolls
  • Harold Colton, Hopi Kachina Dolls: with a key to their identification
  • Jonathan Day, Traditional Hopi Kachinas, a new generation of carvers
  • Oscar Branson, Hopi Kachina Dolls

Where can I learn more about starting or managing my collection?
Glad you asked! Please visit the Guides pages here at the Kachina Motel; you will find several articles that are designed to help you recognize authentic Hopi katsinas, document your collection, and protect your investment. These guides were originally posted on Ebay (where they can still be seen), and each has received thousands of visits. We hope that you find them helpful too.

You will find that sellers of authentic katsina dolls are happy to share their extensive knowledge; most have been in the business for many years and are wonderful resources. 
We will be happy to refer you for information and appraisals. 
The Kachina Motel is the humorous name given to a house where the kachinas "check in, but never check out." Now the name is also a natural fit for a resource site and storefront where anyone with an interest in authentic Hopi katsinas is welcome to visit!

Whether you are only just now discovering these fascinating objects or are an experienced collector, we hope that you will find something useful here. The proprietor of the Motel,