The Kachina Motel
 All content copyright 2013 Peggy DeMouthe     ® The Kachina Motel
Collection management
In this guide I'd like to share some tips on how to manage and document a collection of Hopi kachinas (katsinas). Whether you are an experienced collector or just discovering the fascinating world of katsin-tihu, I hope it will be of interest to you. 

Part I: Considering condition

Condition is always a consideration if you are buying as an investment, whether it's kachinas or cars, books or Barbies. A kachina with all of its fingers and toes, rattles and bows, shells, feathers, and other parts will always be more desirable (and more expensive) than one with bits missing. Feathers are problematic and often must be removed to comply with federal laws, but if the doll itself is in good shape so is your investment.

A kachina in less-than-perfect condition is not necessarily to be ignored. Look at other issues, such as its rarity, artist (if known), and overall appeal. If the doll is interesting and otherwise well-done, and if it "speaks" to you, by all means give it a chance. You can upgrade to another example later, or pay for professional restoration.

Restoration of a kachina is always something to consider (see my Guide on the topic)--but only if it is done by someone who understands the materials and knows what s/he is doing. Never attempt any repairs on your own, unless they are the most basic type (sticking a detached rattle, ear, or piece of shell back on, for example). Nothing will ruin the value of a Hopi kachina faster than a bad repair.

Part II: Playing favorites

A collection isn't about quantity, but about quality. However, the most important thing is that it's also about what you love the most. Something may not give you the pleasure it once did, but on the other hand it may be just the thing that another collector is looking for. Don't be afraid (or feel guilty) to thin the ranks a bit--it shows you have developed the discipline and knowledge to know what you want on your shelves or walls.

Part III: Making connections

When I first started buying kachinas, I asked a lot of questions of sellers, who were almost always happy to share their extensive knowledge. Yet as my collection developed, and as I became more knowledgeable myself, an interesting thing started to happen. A few dealers started to offer a different kind of information--about how to direct my collection. They might suggest a certain young carver's work as a good investment, offer an especially interesting doll they thought I might like, or make a suggestion for other items that would be enhancements to the collection (for example, Hopi wicker plaques with kachina motifs). This advice has been invaluable to me.

Another type of connection that collectors make is often with the carvers themselves. If you have the chance to visit the Hopi mesas, make a trip to the Tuhisma show every October, or attend annual events like the Santa Fe Indian Market, Heard Museum Show, or Hopi show at the Museum of Northern Arizona, it's another way to enrich yourself as well as your collection. Getting to know your favorite artists makes collecting even more enjoyable, and the dolls themselves more meaningful.

Think about these kinds of things as you build your own collection. Do you prefer the work of certain carvers over others, or dolls from a certain time period? Do you have a theme for your interests? (Clowns...Ogres...Female kachinas...Birds and Animals...Rarities and Dieties...?) Where are the gaps in your collection? The answers can help you give your collection focus, and can also help the traders you work with. You will also notice that subtle change, as others recognize you as a knowledgeable customer who is still willing to learn, and who is taking a disciplined approach to building a collection.

At this point some folks might think this is starting to sound like a job instead of an activity that should be fun, but I've found that making these connections and building these relationships has in fact given me a great deal of enjoyment.

However, there are job-like responsibilities to a serious collection, which brings up:



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