Seeni Brothers Kooyemsi-on-Strings

Brothers Benson and Henry Seeni from Polacca were known for making katsinam or other Hopi figures on strings during the 1950s. They were sometimes called “jumping jacks.” This Kooyemsi or Mudhead is 3 3/4″ tall in a seated position and 6 1/2” tall with legs and arms fully extended. James Kootshongsie aka Jimmie Koots – a noted Hopi traditionalist – also made them. This trend for katsinam-on-strings largely died out by the 1960s, although it has been occasionally revived since.

There is some wear to the paint, but the limbs and strings are fully intact. I acquired this at the Heard Museum in Phoenix.