Kokopelli - abstract wood sculpture

Kokopelli – Hand-Carved Red Cedar Sculpture

Kokopelli is a fertility deity from the Native American cultures of the Southwestern United States, often depicted as a humpbacked flute player with feathers or antennae crowning his head. A symbol of music, joy, and life’s creative spirit, Kokopelli is also known as a trickster and bringer of abundance. When I lived in the Southwest, he was my favorite kachina—and this sculpture is my way of honoring that memory.

This unique Red Cedarwood sculpture stands 15" tall, 9" wide, and 5" deep, mounted on a stained mahogany base with a lemon oil and polyurethane finish. The cedar was collected from aged wood in the woodlands near my home on Cape Cod.

As I carve with my rotary tools, I let the wood guide me—the piece often reveals its own form as weathered areas fall away. After shaping and sanding, I apply lemon oil to bring out the deep reds and purples of the cedar, followed by a protective polyurethane finish. This not only enhances the color and texture but also preserves the sculpture, so there’s no need for regular re-oiling.

Eastern Red Cedar is prized for its rich heartwood, streaked with red, violet, and pale yellow sapwood. Known by many Native peoples as the “Tree of Life,” this wood has long been used in sacred ceremonies.

I hope this Kokopelli brings warmth, joy, and good energy into your home.