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About
Swaying and dancing to a hypnotic tune, Kokopelli abandons himself to the rhythms of his music. His long hair blows in the breeze as he pipes a plaintive melody on his flute. J. Blas sculpts the legendary deity in elaborate detail. He first cuts metal sheets and hammers them into three-dimensional shape. Welded together, they are adorned with airy cut-out work and finished with lead-free paint.
Kokopelli dates back to pre-historic times; regarded as a deity, he is usually depicted with a humped back, playing a flute. Ancient legends suggest Kokopelli was a Toltec trader who traveled from central Mexico to the United States' southwestern deserts and mountains, where he is featured in the form of rock art dating thousands of years. Kokopelli played his flute to announce his arrival and according to Pueblo legends, he carried seeds, babies and blankets in his hump which he offered to the maidens he seduced.
To the Hopi, Kokopelli plays his flute to draw heat from the Earth and thus make the seeds grow. His name derives from Koko ("wood") and pilau ("hump"). Kokopelli is believed to be present whenever life comes forth from seed – plant or animal.
Product details
- Iron
- Clean with a soft, dry cloth
- 0.46 kgs
- 1.0 lbs
- 30.0 cm W x 48.0 cm H
- 11.75" W x 19" H
Meet the artist
The artistry of J. Blas has been featured in Family magazine and Kentucky Monthly.
Every piece crafted at my workshop goes hand in hand with originality, design and quality.
"Hello. My name is J. Blas. From the time I was small, I've enjoyed arts and crafts. I loved to dig and prepare clay to make my own pieces and, from that time on, I began to experiment with ceramics. When I was 17, I started my own ceramic workshop because I hate to ask anyone for work – I feel shy and ashamed. Due to my lack of experience, I had to shut it down and went to work in other studios as well as in a ceramics museum, where I learned everything – from how to look for clay to crafting techniques.
"Over time, I learned more and more and became aware of the critical stages that clay has, and where it is good to depend on other people to work it perfectly. And so I changed directions and began to work in wrought iron and blown glass. When things began to get better, I started to experiment with sheets of iron of different weights to give my works more movement.
"Currently I again have my own workshop where we craft a variety of designs, mostly decorative. We cut the metal sheets and hammer them into shape. Then we weld them and add the details. For a clean appearance, we submerge them in an acid bath to remove grease and carbon. After that, they are treated to retard rust before we paint them with special, lead-free paint.
"We are the first workshop in the area to utilize molds as a work tool and to give more originality to our products. Every piece from my shop goes hand-in-hand with originality, design and quality. We are always developing new designs and products.
"I became acquainted with Novica in the early days and you could say I've watched your grand evolution and transformation.
"Since 2003, I've worked with you with a series of designs that has grown in ways we never imagined.
"In the beginning, my greatest challenge was organizing the work and assuring its quality. My workshop has grown to occupy a larger property that has let us improve the crafting process.
"At first, I found it difficult to work in a different way but, without it, this would be chaos. Organizing our work has been the trampoline for a great leap forward in improving the quality of our work and letting us place a special focus on each design.
"I believe your suggestions from the very beginning helped us polish our passions and achieve better results. You've helped me see the importance of good training for each of the people who assist me.
"We learned to invite our assistants to participate in all the projects where we take part, and they, in turn, have brought their passion, responsibility, happiness and commitment to all we do.
"We're very grateful to all of you."
This item was handmade in Mexico by NOVICA artisan borrowers. Kiva lenders have helped these artisans stock up on materials, buy more tools and grow their businesses.
This item qualifies for FREE SHIPPING!
- Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
- Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.

We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
Return instructions
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 4 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
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We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
Triple 'Win' Pricing
Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about Kiva's work, on About Kiva.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
Kiva Store artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. Kiva Store offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
Turn your gift-giving into an art form with our new premium gift wrapping service!
Delivering a beautiful handmade treasure, wrapped by hand in exquisite packaging will make your gifts truly unforgettable.
Above all, it's EASY! Just select the premium gift wrapping option during checkout and we do the rest. No more last minute worries about presentation - your gifts will be the best dressed every time!
Most premium gift wrap is only $3.95 - $5.95 per item.
Triple 'Win' Pricing
Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about Kiva's work, on About Kiva.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
Kiva Store artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. Kiva Store offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.