The first and seemingly obvious point should be to make sure the you are purchasing a Hopi Kachina. Some tribes carve dolls that are not as intricate and are not usually cosidered Kachinas but rather dolls, as Hopi’s are the only tribe to believe in Kachinas!  The fact that they are Hopi makes them very rare, hence making them more valueable and more collectible as they appreciate in value over time.  Make certain that you receive a certificate or authentication with your purchase.  Specifically, a picture of the artist holding the doll serves as the best guarantee that you are purchasing an authentic hopi kachina doll.

There are a few variables to note which make one doll more valuable than another, the most obvious of which is the fame and experience of the artist.  a: Selecting the right artist is very important, as more famous artists are usually very good carvers, every aspect of their dolls is excellently done! An artist gets fame and name recognition based on his constant ability to carve extraordinary pieces of art! Buying a  Kachina doll carved by a famous artist is great because, they are usually recognized by most Kachina collectors and musuems, making them more valueable! 

Each artists has their own style, but one thing every great doll has in common is the quality of the artwork.  How can you tell if you are buying a great hopi kachina doll?

1. A doll that is completely carved out of one piece of wood (that means nothing is added or glued on) makes a doll much more valueable as it is very hard to carve a doll that is one piece and keep the proportion and the appearance of it looking great!  (Most carvers add small pieces on (like feathers on a head).
2. Proportion, capturing motion, detailing, painting, finishing all of these things should be looked at very carefully when buying a Kachina doll, as the more or better they are done the more valueable a Kachina doll would be!
3. Different and Story carvings help add to a Kachina doll’s value! Different and Story means that the doll was carved doing something like: an Eagle Kachina being tied down by Mudhead Kachinas, a Left Handed Kachina having animals around it, a Left Handed Kachina hunting a deer, a Turtle Kachina putting a turtle in the water, a Whipper Kachina whipping a clown,  or more than one Kachina in a carving!

Neil David Sr

World renouned artist  Neil David Sr is one of the best carvers around. His name and his work are easily recognized and associated with the Hopi Culture. Neil’s name is not only synonymous with kachinas, but he is also known as an excellent painter, and writer. His drawings and writing of Hopi culture have been used in many published books. When it comes to kachinas, great detail, and unique expressions, well that has been Neil’s trademark since he started carving in 1978. The David’s name has a long line of excellent kachina carvers Neil was taught to carve by his family, but mainly by his father. Neil hopes that he can keep that tradition going, by passing on his experiences and accomplishments to his sons. He was born on March 20, 1944 in Keams Canyon, Arizona. Neil Belongs to the Parrot & Kachina Clans.

Keith Torres

Award winning artist Keith Torres and his work, can be seen in the book, “Hopi Kachina Dolls and Their Carvers” by Theda Bassman. He is one of the most creative Hopi Carvers around. With his own style of carving, Keith has shown an incredible art talent, his carving and detailing combination have produced amongst the best Kachina dolls to date. He puts a lot of time and effort into his Kachina Dolls, trying to make them as perfect as he sees them in his own mind. Starting in 1985, Keith was taught how to carve by Edward Poleahla. One of the things he enjoys most in the creation of a Kachina doll is the painting. Keith was born on December 14th, 1963 in Window Rock, Arizona. He is a part of the Coyote and Fire Clans of the Hopi Tribe.

Nate Jacob
Clyde Harris

Please add Hopi artists Profiles in comments.