The Doll Blog

An insider’s look at everything dolls; from dolls as toys, to art dolls, to collectible dolls, to the doll industry

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From the Curio Cabinet – Kachina Dolls

August 17th, 2008 · No Comments

So, what kind of a Doll Collector are you?

In all our years of being in the ‘Doll’ business, I’ve come across so many wonderful people with so many unique collections. I can’t even begin to define what a ‘doll collection’ should look like! Some people collect Barbies, some Jumeau’s. Some collect anything ’30′s”, some collect one of a kind Art Dolls.

I collect ‘examples.’ Let me explain…

Addie and I will be married thirty years come December, and in that time we’ve moved three times, and with our children just about all gone on to their own homes, we’re looking to move once again. I like to think that I’ve finally learned not to collect too much; I usually only have one or two ‘examples’ of a kind of doll.

So I only have one Kachina Doll in my doll collection :(
But for the purpose of this blog, he’s a perfect representation of his kind, and if you are trying to decide what kind of doll you’d like to collect, maybe you’d consider Kachinas.

Made of wood, turquoise, feathers, shells and stones, Kachina dolls are a style of native American Doll found mainly in the Southwestern United States. Of course with the advent of eBay they are readily collectible from anywhere in the world.

Kachina Hoop Dancer

My Hoop Dancer was made by a Navajo Indian. He’s about 10 inches tall. In the Indian culture the Hoop Dancers have no religious significance…they represent the athletic dancers with their magical rings that represent the circle of life. A quick check on eBay finds Medicine Men Kachinas, Buffalo dancers, Hilili, Badger, Butterfly healers and many other Kachinas readily available.

Want to start a unique collection? Kachinas are available, relatively inexpensive and like any good collectible doll can offer you a life-long journey into beauty and knowledge!
Kachina Hoop Dancer - Detail

Tags: Collectible Dolls · Kachina Dolls