White Bear Fredericks – Ka’e or Blue Corn Katsina

White Bear Fredericks was a fine carver in his own right, but worth noting is that Charles Fredericks was his father and the famed Wilson Tawaquaptewa (1873-1960) his uncle. All three are featured in my book Hopi katsina carvers. 

This vibrantly colored Ka’e or Blue Corn katsina is quite large at 12 1/4″ tall (not including the feathers) and 5″ wide. Fine condition with only a slight paint chip missing on the back left shoulder. It is signed – as are almost all White Bear katsinam – with a Bear Claw and wave design and the word, “Hopi.” Curiously, White Bear has written on the base of one foot, “Blue Cloud Katsina.” But this is a mistake. The blue ears of corn on the face make it clear that is a Ka’e or Corn katsina. In my opinion, a complete collection of Hopi katsinam should have at least one White Bear example.