Leroy Kewonyama – Articulated Limbs Hehey’a – 1949 at the MNA

This is a truly unusual, perhaps unique item. All four limbs of this Hehey’a katsina are articulated as shown in the various body positions. This configuration was all but unheard of at the time this was made (1949). Attached to the katsina is a tag from the Museum of Northern Arizona, providing the date of July 1949 and attributing the doll to Leroy from Shungopavi. The price on the tag is $8.00. The purchaser can decide if s(he) wants the katsina standing, sitting, or with raised arms, etc. The trunk is covered with a white fur material which is exactly what Hehey’a katsinam wear. The katsina is 12 1/2″ tall to the top of the head when standing. 

Friends on Facebook have informed me that Leroy was a very diverse artist known for his exceptional silver overlay jewelry. He also did easel painting and weaving. As my friend said, “One of the old timers who did it all.”