Hopi Puppet Koyemsi (Mudhead Katsina) [SOLD]

Koyemsi (Mudhead Katsinas) serve religious and secular functions. They function as chiefs during the season called Kwiyamuya, and as clowns at other times. They are probably the most popular and recognized of all Katsina. They appear in almost every ceremony as clowns, drummers, announcers of dances, and other roles.

This Mudhead Puppet Katsina doll is a typical example of a Hopi carving. It is simple in style and nicely painted. The entire doll is carved from cottonwood root.  It was made by Jimmy Koots, a Hopi whose work was well known in Santa Fe because he provided Katsina dolls to Rare Gifts by Dutton, probably one of the more famous older Santa Fe shops.

The arms and legs were attached by passing rawhide through the body, attaching the limbs.

Note: Henry Seeni also made puppet Katsina dolls in the early 1950s, but the work of the two men can be distinguished by the body style, particularly in the hips where the legs are attached.

Condition: The puppet is in excellent condition with minor abrasion to the paint

Provenance: from the collection of a family from Oregon

Reference Material:  Hopi Katsina 1,600 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf