Hopi Puppet / Kachina By Jimmie Koots

James Kootshongsie, Hopi

Circa 1950 | Cottonwood | Item 2246

This is a rare puppet of Tasavu by James Kootshongsie, better known as Jimmie Koots. It is believed to be an early work by him. The Tasavu clown supports, on his back, a smaller version of Tasavu. The main figure has articulated legs and arms. The legs are secured tight (glued) but the arms move loosely. The arms and legs are attached with a strip of rawhide with knots at each end. The ends of the hands each have two holes, where string would have been threaded through to give the puppet its operating method. The characteristics of Jimmie’s work includes the pale, gray background and the enlarged nose and ears. In addition, he was known for making these puppets. Here is an example of a similar one that sold from The Adobe Gallery.

This Tasavu clown is a Hopi representations of a Navajo clown, as depicted with the mustache and vertical body lines. They typically appear as singers for types of Navajo katsinam. A thanks to Chad Burkhardt for helping me identify and better understand this katsinam.