Hopi Puppet Koshari Katsina Doll [R]

Barton Wright, in his 1977 book, Hopi Kachinas the Complete Guide to Collecting Kachina Dolls, stated the following:  “An early minor fad which has reappeared cyclically is the jumping doll.  A Hopi clown or other kachina is carved and jointed in the manner of a puppet and then strung on crossed strings like a common European jumping toy.  When the strings are pulled apart and relaxed the doll leaps and cavorts about.  The first individual to produce this type of doll among the Hopi appears to have been a First Mesa man named Ben Seeni.  At least no earlier examples have so far been documented.  However, interest in the doll fades rapidly but it is then re-discovered within a few years and again enjoys a brief flurry of popularity.”

Wright does not say at what period Seeni made such puppets but it has been stated elsewhere that he did so in the 1950s.  All previous examples of Seeni’s puppets I have seen have had black-painted loin cloth and scarf and none have appeared in bright purple as does this one.  The carving style and assembly both are similar to Seeni’s other puppets and most have appeared to be older than this one; however, there is no reason to believe this is not the work of Seeni.  It is most likely a later one by him than the others that we have had in the past.

This puppet is provided with a metal stand for display purposes.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: from the collection of a gentleman from California

Recommended Reading: Hopi Kachinas the Complete Guide to Collecting Kachina Dolls by Barton Wright