From the Trail of Painted Ponies Retired Collection, Kachina Pony. Designed by artist, Maria Ryan. Made of hand-painted resin. Measures 6" tall.

Kachinas are stylized religious icons, meticulously carved from cottonwood roots and painted to represent figures from Hopi mythology. They often wear masks of animals, plants, stars, warriors and clowns. They are the focus of ceremonies and rituals in which they relay the wishes of the Hopi people to the gods – for more rain, a plentiful harvest, good health. In an effort to create a Painted Pony with mystical powers of its own, this colorist from Idaho has adorned her Pony with the designs and symbols of traditional kachina masks, including, on the left side, the "Sun Kachina" mask, and on the right, the “Messenger of the Gods” mask. This Idaho artist has established a national reputation for her brilliant interpretations of wildlife and Native American imagery.