Vintage Pair of Kachina Dolls by Larry David Master Carver

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This beautiful, authentic matched pair of Hopi-Tewa Kachina dolls was hand-carved by renowned master artist Larry David, a Tewa carver … Read more This beautiful, authentic matched pair of Hopi-Tewa Kachina dolls was hand-carved by renowned master artist Larry David, a Tewa carver from First Mesa, Arizona (1948–2006). Acquired about ten years ago from a trusted American Indian art dealer, the set offers a rare chance to own cohesive works by a highly sought-after artist whose creations are treasured by Southwestern art collectors.
In Pueblo tradition, it’s common for carvers like Larry David to create a Snake Dancer and a Butterfly Maiden as a pair, as these spirits are closely connected—the Snake Dance is a solemn prayer for rain, while the Butterfly Dance celebrates the abundance of crops that follow.
Made from traditional cottonwood root, both figures show Larry David’s signature craftsmanship, vibrant colors, and expressive style.
The Snake Dancer (Chusona) features a flat-top head with bird feathers, buffalo-shaped winged ears, striking rectangular black eyes, and an alligator-shaped mouth with teeth the body is painted in rich reds, greens, and yellows, the figure wears an ornate crown and holds two stalks of bamboo wheat.
The second is the Butterfly Maiden (Poli Mana), the counter-piece to the Snake Dancer, the Butterfly Maiden represents the spirit of beauty, dance, and the bounty of the harvest. The Butterfly Maiden features a highly detailed traditional flat wooden headdress accented with majestic Birch feathers crowning stylized raincloud and Buffalo wing ear structures.
The mask is meticulously painted in directional colors of red, yellow and green boasting distinctive black rectangular eyes and sharp carved alligator shaped snout with visible teeth Larry David's Butterfly variants are among his most celebrated works.
Both dolls are signed by the artist on the bottom of the base See less