Vintage Hopi Black Ogre Katsina Ornament

I can just see Marti Struever's delight when she first came across this quirky Hopi Christmas ornament.

The fantastic vintage ornament depicts a Nata-aska or black ogre katsina who is responsible for scaring naughty Hopi children into good behavior. 

If you think of it, it's ingenious to hang this ornament on your tree. Kind of like a more aggressive elf on a shelf or a kinder Krampus, this ogre with his fierce teeth and bulging eyes might make kiddos to think twice before misbehaving.

Like a piece of great folk art, this katsina is made from an old clothes pin with other fantastic handmade details added.

He stands almost 4" tall depending on the height of his hair. Unknown artist. 

From the private collection of Martha Struever.