LobbyThe Kachina Motel
All content copyright 2013 Peggy DeMouthe ® The Kachina Motel
Guides for Collectors
Starting a collection of authentic Hopi katsina dolls can be fun, fascinating--and frustrating. While there are many books and articles available that explain how to identify "who's who" among the hundreds of katsina beings, there are surprisingly few that help people make the right choices about buying for and maintaining their collection.
Thinking about the information we wished we had when we started collecting, the Kachina Motel offers these brief guides. Originally created to post on Ebay, each guide is being updated with new photos and information, and each addresses a different aspect of collecting, from how to identify fakes to how to document and maintain your collection. Whether you are an experienced collector or are just discovering the amazing variety of Hopi katsina dolls, we hope these guides will be helpful.
Katsina dolls: what they are--and are not
This guide provides basic information about what a katsina is, and offers tips for beginning collectors about how to ensure that the dolls they buy are authentic. With fake "kachinas" flooding shops and online stores, it's important to protect your investment. Read more >
How to recognize authentic Hopi katsina dolls
More details on regalia. Hopi katsina dolls are made in the likeness of the real katsinas who visit the villages. Thus, their regalia and appearance should be consistent. This guide uses photos of actual textiles and dolls (real and fake) to show how to know and buy the real thing. Read more >
Hopi katsinas: repair and restoration
Why do museum curators go by the rule "when in doubt, do nothing?" Because a poorly done repair can ruin the value of a katsina doll. This guide illustrates some simple fixes it's OK to make, but also shows the results of unprofessional restoration attempts. Read more >
Route 66 katsinas
Here is a brief guide to the different types of katsinas that are made especially for the tourist trade. Introduced during the golden era of tourism in the 1940s and 50s, these little collectibles are made by Hopi and non-Hopi artists. See what the real ones look like, and learn how to avoid fakes. Read more >
Hopi katsinas: collection management
Even if your collection contains just a few katsina dolls, you will want to know how to keep track of your investment. This guide covers condition, documentation, and how to determine the direction of your collection.
Katsina dolls: the real and the fake
More than 14,500 hits on Ebay! This guide (soon to be updated with new photos) shows side-by-side examples of real Hopi katsina dolls and the various types of fakes on the market--from factory-made Navajo ones to bogus "antiques." Includes resources and links. Read more >
GUIDES ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Hopi katsinas: tips for new collectors
Whether you are attracted to fine art katsinas or the old-style carvings that are popular with many young carvers, there will be helpful tips here for you on buying, displaying, and caring for your dolls. Includes insights from museum curators and from Hopi carvers themselves. Read more >
