Donated to the Museum of Northern Arizona, November 2000
by the Kriss Family in Memory of Joseph Kriss
Collected by Joseph Kriss
Reference: Hopi Kachina Dolls by Harold S. Colton, University of New Mexico Press, 1964
* Denotes possession of certificate and/or prize ribbon (no receipts exist for any of the Jimmy K. commissions; authenticity per Regina Kriss, 5/14/2000).
K1: Thunder God Kachina*
Height: 18"
Place: Kia Kochomoui
Artist: Henry Shelton
Date: July 1964
Prize: Honorable Mention, Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff
K2: Korosto (Harvest Katchina per Regina Kriss)
Height: 9"
Place: Flagstaff
Artist: Jimmy Kewonwytewa (known as "Jimmy K") per Regina Kriss (unsigned)
Date: c. 1962-64
Notes: Commissioned by Joseph Kriss; based on similar piece in the collection of the Museum of Northern Arizona. Attribution by Mark Kriss per Colton (#173): "Three-pointed white beak ... pothook eyes ... felt roll across chest ... carries a rattle and a skin pouch filled with sacred corn ..."
K3: "Nata-aska" Black Ogre
Height: 16"
Place: Flagstaff
Artist: Jimmy Kewonwytewa (signed "JK" on foot)
Date: c. 1962-64
Notes: Commissioned by Joseph Kriss; based on similar piece in the collection of the Museum of Northern Arizona; see Colton (#29). Boogey man to scare kids; according to Colton, is supposed to be able to swallow children whole.
K4: Blueshoes
Height: 11"
K5: Left-Handed Kachina
Height: 9"
Place: Flagstaff
Artist: Son of Jimmy Kewonwytewa (per Regina Kriss, unsigned)
Date: c. 1962-64
Notes: Commissioned by Joseph Kriss
K6: Kokle Kachina?*
No. 6/55
Height: 15"
Price: $33.00
July 1964
Name: Lloyd Talaswaima
Place: Mishongnovi
Article: Kokole kachina
Notes: Attribution by Mark Kriss based on Colton (#5): feathers on head, buckskin suit, carries a rattle. "This generous and kindly kachina comes in pairs usually four nights before the Bean Dance and prophesies good crops and promises toys for the children ..."
K7: Greenmuffler
Height: 10"
Artist: Jimmy Kewonwytewa?
K8: Early Morning Kachina?
Height: 8"
Notes: Purchased by Mark Kriss c. 1962-3 in Flagstaff or Grand Canyon; see Colton (#108, 194)
K9: Great Horned Owl Kachina
Height: 14"
Place: Flagstaff
Artist: Jimmy Kewonwytewa (per Regina Kriss, unsigned)
Date: c. 1962-64
Notes: Commissioned by Joseph Kriss; modified by Joseph Kriss -- replaced original wood cloak with leather; added feathers from found dead owl; see Colton (#78)
K10: Mud Head Clown*
No. 8/111
Height: 13"
Price: $27.50
July 1962
Name: Leonard Taho
Place: Kiakochomovia
Article: Koyemsi kachina; attribution by Mark Kriss based on Colton (#59). Carries feather sword to indicate that he's a jester, not a serious warrior.
K11: Corn Dancer Katchina?*
Height: 13"
Place: Shungopoui
Artist: Norman Honie
Date: July 1964
Notes: Honorable Mention, Museum of Northern Arizona
K12: Sotuqnang-u, God of the Sky (a deity not a kachina)
Height: 14"
Notes: Probably purchased at Ahwanhee Lodge Gift Shop, Yosemite Valley, c. 1970-75; apparently a sacred piece which should not have been sold in the first place. Colton (p. 78): "Sotuqnang-u, the god of the sky, the clouds, and the rain, is good, dignified, and powerful ... carries a lightning frame and bull-roarer..."
K13: He-e-e Kachina*
No. 8/85
Height: 16"
Price: $49.50
July 1964
Name: Dick Pentewa (signed on foot)
Place: Kiakochomovi
Article: He-e-e Kachina
Notes: "Black face" annotation on receipt; attribution by Mark Kriss based on Colton (#21)
K14: Yellowhorns
Height: 16"
Place: Flagstaff
Artist: Jimmy Kewonwytewa (per Regina Kriss, unsigned)
Date: c. 1962-64
Notes: Commissioned by Joseph Kriss; based on similar piece in the collection of the Museum of Northern Arizona
K15: Zuni Katchina? (per Regina Kriss)
Height: 11"
Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff
where Jimmy K. worked as a staff member from about 1940 to 1972, and where all but K8 and K12 were made by Jimmy K. or acquired (via the annual Hopi Craftsman Exhibition).
Prize-Winning Tags (belonging to above):
(1) First Prize tag, Museum of Northern Arizona
(1) Second Prize tag, Museum of Northern Arizona
Museum of Northern Arizona Hopi Craftsman Exhibition Tags
(belonging to above unless otherwise specified):
No. 7/146
Price: $22.00
July 1962
Name: Louis C. Honwytewa
Place: Shungopovi
Article: Hoya Kachina
Notes: Probably K4 or K7 (process of elimination)
No. 3/57
Price: $55.00
July 1964
Name: Jannis Ami
Place: Sichomovi
Article: Snake Kachinea Lolokong
Notes: Probably gifted by Joe Kriss to Toru or Jingi c. 1980
No. 9/41
Price: $55.00
July 1962
Name: Henry Shelton
Place: Oraibi
Article: Supai Kachina
Notes: White case mask with triangular mouth (Colton, 143); possibly
gifted by Joe Kriss to Toru or Jingi c. 1980, or K15 above?