| Michael Dean Jenkins | |
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The
Sun Kachina (Dawa) is a representation of the spirit of the Sun. He
is very seldom seen in public because the performance of the rituals
is sacred and secret...reserved only for specific clans or high
priesthood leaders. Although very popular among the carvers, he
seldom appears in the Kachina dances. The Sun Kachina radiates
rays down to the Earth giving it warmth and life. The mask of the Sun Kachina is a representation of the round face of the Sun. The lower half of the face is blue with rectangular eyes, an inverted triangle mouth and vertical bars on each cheek. The top half of the mask is painted half orange and half red. The most impressive feature about the mask are the black tipped feathers that radiate from the rim and completely circle the edge of the mask. They are all individually detailed and carved. He wears a white ceremonial kilt and there is a red bandolier draped over the right shoulder. The embroidered sash, bandolier and red belt are all carved to enhance the realism of cloth. He wears sleigh bells at the knees. His left forearm and right calf is blue and the right forearm and left calf is yellow. He carries a gourd rattle in his right hand and a squash blossom in the left hand. The back of the mask is made up of small carved turkey feathers and there is a carved wildcat skin draped over his shoulders. He has a carved silver, turquoise and leather Kato on his left wrist and a hank of black yarn on the right wrist. The realism of the carving is exceptional...especially the musculature and proportion. The moccasins look like soft well worn suede leather, the fox skin hanging at the back of the waist looks like a real silver fox. Also, look at the way he carved the sash where it is tied at the waist. Michael Dean Jenkins, who is also known as Dean Michaels, is noted for his one-piece Kachina carvings in a very unique style. He uses very soft hues and muted colors to achieve a beautiful finish. Michael has the skills to create dolls that have a fine surface treatment to the wood. As unbelievable as it may sound, the Kachina is carved from a single piece of cottonwood root, NOTHING has been added to the carving. Everything, including the feathers on the head, the items in the hands and even the sleigh bells are from the same piece of cottonwood root. Please click on the link below to see detailed pictures of the sash, hands, bandolier and fox skin. If you look at the pictures to the right, you can see the separation of the bandolier, how it has been carved away from the back of the Kachina. This is a true one piece carving...a Michael Dean Jenkins specialty. Michael Dean Jenkins is truly known for his perfectly carved anatomy. He is so particular about including every muscle on a non-clothed doll that he used to use his nephew as a model in the position of the doll. Since his nephew recently went back to the reservation, Michael now sits in front of a mirror and uses himself as the model. He will literally hold his hands out in a particular position, study how it looks, and implement it on the doll. Michael Dean Jenkins is an award-winning carver and is featured throughout "The Art of the Hopi" by Lois and Jerry Jacka on pages 46, 75 and 80. At the 2000 Heard Museum Indian Market, Michael won First Place and Best of Division for a spectacular one-piece carving featuring an Owl, Koshari and Koyemsi. He also won First Place and Best of Division at the 1997 Museum of Northern Arizona Hopi Marketplace. The Kachina is signed: "Dawa, Sun Kachina, Michael Dean Jenkins." Please click on the button below for detailed pictures of this outstanding carving. 
Also, we have included a link to a very large picture of the entire carving: 
The Kachina is accompanied by a picture of Michael holding the doll.
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| If you are interested in this collectable,
please call toll-free at 888-769-9190 or e-mail: tim@tribalcollectors.com |
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