Jimmie Koots – Hehey’a with Watermelon – SOLD

James Kootshongsie, better known as Jimmie Koots, was arguably the greatest Hopi comic carver of all time. Often, the comic elements in his katsinam were subtle. Here’s a case in point: a stocky Hehey’a with watermelon. Notice how he’s squatting on his haunches, holding onto the watermelon with great affection. The carving is 11″ tall. He has four wooden red chilis attached the top of his head. There is felt attached to the feet that allows him to squat stably without toppling. There is some wear to the paint, but it is a solid piece of cottonwood root. For more info on Jimmie, see my book, “The Great Tradition of Hopi Katsina Carvers, 1880 – Present,” (2019) Rio Nuevo Press. It came from a Santa Fe collection.