Mongwa-Hopi Great Horned Owl Kachina/Katsina, 

symbolizes intelligence and wisdom. The Hopi feel the Mongwa kachina is very beneficial to agriculture keeping their fields free of rodents.  Mongwa, the Great Horned Owl is also available at the village dances to knock sense into the kachina clowns.

This large Mongwa, Great Horned Owl Kachina, is one of many kachina carvings in the private collection. This MONGWA is in excellent shape with a striking rabbit skin head piece with many large upright feathers on each side, large yellow eyes, and a curved beak.  As you take a closer look, you can see all the beautiful symbolic detail in the markings, ornamentation of feathers, leather, rabbit skin, necklace, shells and colorful yarn.  Painted in reddish brown with white, he wears the traditional kilt with green bands and symbols folded to form a breechclout and a wide blue belt, black yarn around his wrists and right knee along with fringe and shells on the left knee and red moccasins with fringe.  He carries a yucca whip.

Skillfully carved with forward body movement and bend of the arms, sharp focus of the head and bent legs as though the kachina was photographed dancing in mid-stride. Even with all the dynamic forward movement, the doll has perfect balance, standing on its own.

This kachina measures, including the base of some 2”, approximately 21” to the top of the head, and some 27” to the top of the feathers. There are no cracks or broken parts, simply excellent condition.