Henry Seeni, Hopi Pueblo Carver

Hopi Pueblo carver Henry Seeni, also known as Henry Seemi, is renowned for his unique puppet-style katsina dolls, particularly Koshari and Mudheads. These figurines are intricately carved and jointed like puppets, then strung on crossed strings similar to a traditional European jumping toy. When the strings are manipulated, the dolls leap and cavort energetically.

According to Barton Wright, the first individual to create this type of doll among the Hopi was a man from First Mesa named Benson (Ben) Seeni (1931-1999).

Reference: Hopi Kachinas: The Complete Guide to Collecting Kachina Dolls by Barton Wright.

TAGS: Hopi Pueblo, Katsinaa Dolls