Ed Little: Pre-Columbian Customs/Man in Costume

Artist: Ed Little
1957 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1989
Image Size: 15 by 17.5 inches
Overall Size: 20 by 29.75 inches
Medium: Oil on Cold Press Illustration Board

Out of the desert beyond the Hopi village march a group of figures -- weirdly masked, brightly painted, and attired in clothing rich with symbols. These are the kachinas, the supernatural ones, bringing rain and blessings to the people; teaching discipline and rewarding good. There are many types of kachinas. Some of the figures are birds or animals, such as the eagle, bear, owl, or mountain sheep. Others are identified by a characteristic behavior or aspect of their appearance -- such as the left-handed kachinas, and the clowns. However, only Hopi men impersonate the kachinas. Even the female Crow Mother shown on the cachet on this First Day Cover is portrayed by a tribal member of the opposite sex. All Hopi people are members of the kachina cult, and believe that all life and blessings -- the cycle of seasons and crops -- are gifts of the kachina spirits, who rank just below the major gods. He who wears the mask of a kachina believes he loses his personal identity and assumes that of the spirit. Borrowing the bodies of living men, the kachina spirits by Hopi belief continue to visit the villages today as they have since time immemorial, distributing kachina dolls to the little girls, and bows and arrows to the boys.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 25¢ Southwest Carved Figure, Hopi Indian Kachina Doll stamp issued October 12, 1989.

Artwork Copyright © 1989 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB12176

US$ Price: $2,500.00

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