Prinston Collateta
Palhik Mana
13 1/4"
total height
The Palhik Mana, or Butterfly
Maiden, is one of the most popular kachinas in the Hopi carvers'
repertoire. This beautifully dressed figure is not really a kachina,
but rather a woman's dance personage.
Women who appear in the Mamzrau
Initiation Dance are called the Palhik' Manas. They are never
masked except on Third Mesa, although they all appear to be when
carved as dolls. The carvings typically include an elaborate
tableta including butterfly and corn symbols.
Prinston Collateta, "Drumming
Boy", was born in 1981. He is half Hopi-Tewa, part Navajo
and Jemez, member of the Sun clan and Eagle Clan. Prinston began
sculpting at the age of 7. He learned the art of sculpting on
wood from his father, Tom Collateta, Sr., and many other artists.
Prinston has found he becomes more inspired when he receives
compliments on his carvings. The encouragement makes him want
to continue to perfect his dolls even more.
Prinston specializes in hand
carving Hopi kachina dolls from scratch. He carves his kachinas
from cottonwood. The dolls are carved with an ordinary pocket
knife. He studies the wood and then lets his imagination take
over. He enjoys carving full bodied dolls like Eagle dancers
and Sun face kachinas the most because they represent his clans.
Prinston signs his carvings as: P. Collateta, followed by a sunface
along with the title of the kachina. Prinston is related to Tom
Collateta, Jr. and Nero Collateta (brothers).
