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- Hopi Kachinas $500-$1,000
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- 211123-099 Large Hopi Kachina / Katsina; Tino Youvella Eototo - Chief Kachina
211123-099 Large Hopi Kachina / Katsina; Tino Youvella Eototo - Chief Kachina
Kachinas: Eototo Chief Hopi 15 3/4" signed Tino Youvella Eototo - Chief Kachina Hopi 1st Mesa Az."
Tino (short for Celestino) is a kachina doll carver from First Mesa in Polacca, Arizona, where he and his wife, Geraldine, have raised six children. Tino is of the Kachina/Parrot Clan belonging to the Village of Sitsomovi (Sichomovi) at Hopi. He began carving kachina dolls in 1962, and with limited employment opportunities in fire fighting, he pursued carving to supplement his income. Tino is a self-taught artist who used books to study and practice carving anatomy. He continued carving while he worked other positions including being an auto mechanic and even assisting making dentures in Phoenix until about 1980. During that time, his carving talent was recognized and encouraged by collectors/photographers and authors, Lois and Jerry Jacka, and by traders Bruce and Ron McGee. There was a high demand for his dolls, and he has been carving ever since.
While some carvers are known for specializing in certain figures, Tino is known for his versatility, capturing the essence of a great variety of figures. His wife Geraldine often helps with the sanding and painting of the dolls. Their sons, Alexander, Preston and Darrell are also kachina doll carvers, and their four grandsons are helping to carry on this family tradition. Tino is the brother-in-law of Leo LaCapa, another noted carver of this family, who is of the Water/Corn Clan and has also been featured at The Indian Craft Shop as a highlighted artist.