Tsuku Clown on Back of Tasavu Clown Escaping a Skunk [SOLD]

This Sikya Tsutskutu (Yellow) Clown has crawled up the back of the Tsuku (Navajo) Clown to escape the threat of the skunk below.  The Yellow Clowns are the sacred clowns of the Hopi and the Tsuku Clown is a Hopi clown in jest of the Navajo. 

This pair of clowns was particularly well illustrated by Neil David, Sr.  The two clowns appear to have been carved from a single piece of cottonwood root.  The manner in which the Yellow Clown’s leg is draped over the shoulder of the Navajo Clown is indicative of single-piece carving.  It is possible, and quite likely, that the one leg sticking out and the one arm sticking out are added pieces but, if so, it is not discernible.

Neil David, Sr. is a Hopi-Tewa from the First Mesa village of Polacca. The Hopi-Tewa live at First Mesa and have done so since the arrival of immigrants from the Northern New Mexico pueblo villages in the early 18^th century.  He is an internationally known artist, admired for his drawings, paintings and katsina doll carvings.  He was a founding member and full-time member of The Artist Hopid, a group of Hopi artists who exhibited their works together.  He is an exceptional artist of paintings and carvings.  His Koosa or Koshare Clowns are favorites of many collectors.  Neil has a wonderful sense of humor and is able to express such in his carvings

Condition:  original condition

Provenance: from the estate of Tom Mittler, a former resident of Michigan and Santa Fe

Recommended Reading: Hopi Katsina: 1,600 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf