New Arrivals
POLEYESTEWA

Chimayo Trading Staff Report | November 2025

Polyestewa tells the stories of Hopi history through his charming and delightful dolls. Much like the man himself, they are filled with light and uplifting to behold. He speaks to us from a place in time when the art form was a central aspect of Hopi culture that we can all learn from today. Come and answer the call of Hopi history as interpreted by Master Kachina Carver, Poleyestewa.

Visit Chimayo Trading in Ranchos de Taos or online at chimayotrading.com to see all of these new arrrivals and many more of Poleyestewa’s unique and charming kachina’s we have on display.

“Sunface”
15” x 10″ x 7″
$1500

The kachina doll is based on magical supernatural beings who live in the hearts and minds and tradition of Native American Hopi culture. They are impersonated by masked people, village by village, mesa by mesa until their wisdom is distilled into ceremony, singing, dancing and the carving of Kachina dolls.

LEFT: “Black Bear”
10.5” x 3.5″ x 3.5″
$395

RIGHT: “Warrior”
9.5” x 4.5″ x 3″
$395

At the heart of it all lies the belief that spiritual messengers from above (the original, actual Kachina) visited and interacted with Native American peoples in Arizona and New Mexico, imparting the wisdom of the ancestors to help them. The dances and elaborate costuming honor their teachings, along with Kiva ceremonies which women and girls are not allowed to attend, hence the carvings become a teaching tool.

LEFT: “Left Hand”
9.5” x 5″ x 4″
$395

RIGHT: “Eototo” (Lieutenant)
10” x 3″ x 4″
$395

Many specific rare kachina entities are represented in his latest work, along with those familiar to many. For the kachina traditions to live on, their stories must not only be told, but be heard.

LEFT: “Kuwan Hehey’a”
12” x 5.5″ x 5.5″
$395

RIGHT: “Long Hair”
12” x 3″ x 4″
$395

Most Pueblos of New Mexico had their own versions of kachinas and because famine caused Hopi to leave their original home and migrate from Arizona to New Mexico, where they encountered these alternate forms of kachinas which, in many cases, they absorbed them into their own repertoire to honor tribes that had taken them in when they needed shelter the most.

LEFT: “Yasaf Yebitchai”
11” x 7″ x 4″
$395

RIGHT: “Aholi” (Chief)
13” x 8″ x 3″
$395

We are thankful to Poleyestewa, a talented, knowledgeable carrier of Hopi tradition who can tell a good story and is willing to share with us the shadows of meaning that overlay his carvings.

If you have enjoyed our newsletters and learning about the artists and artwork we represent, or if you’ve had a good experience visiting our gallery, please take a moment to let us know by leaving a review using the links below.

Come to the gallery to see where History Meets Art in Taos..

#1 Saint Francis Church Plaza
Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557

575.758.0504

We buy individual pieces or whole collections.

Contact us for the evaluation and resale of your collectible art.
We’re interested in locating relevant collections and original New Mexico artwork for purchase. We buy historic and contemporary relevant paintings, pottery, jewelry, textiles, weavings and more.

Contact us directly to discuss and evaluate your collection. If you’re an artist, contact us about the possibility of selling your art on consignment or direct wholesale purchase.

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