Hopi Kachina Plaque

Hand-carved and hand-painted cottonwood root plaque by Hopi artist Koyan Saufkie, depicting a Clown (Koshare) Kachina with harvest motifs. The figure features a boldly stylized face and expressive mask, consistent with Koshare imagery, along with a detailed headdress incorporating feathers and traditional elements. Held at the center is a basket of corn and fruit, symbolizing abundance and the agricultural cycles central to Hopi life. Surrounding elements include directional arrow forms and lightning motifs, referencing rain and growth.

Carved from a single slab with the natural bark edge intact, the plaque retains the organic character of the wood while serving as a vibrant ground for the painted composition in warm, saturated tones. Koyan Saufkie, the 18-year-old son of renowned Hopi carver Arvin Saufkie, demonstrates a confident and emerging style that blends traditional themes with a contemporary, graphic approach. Signed on the reverse and fitted with a mounting bracket for wall display.

10.5” Width, 13” Height