Pair of Comcaac Seri Indian Cloth and Patchwork Dolls Collected by William Neil Smith

Pair of Comcaac Seri Indian Cloth and Patchwork Dolls Collected by William Neil Smith

Antique Large Pair of Comcaac Seri Indian Cloth and Patchwork Dolls Collected in the late 40’s by William Neil “Seri Bill” Smith.

Collected in the late 40’s by William Neil “Seri Bill” Smith. One of the most famous early adventurers in to Seri Land which is north Bahia Kino in Sonora, Mexico. These coastal people lived in a very hostile desert area on the Sea of Cortez and on Isla Tiburon (Shark Island). These dolls were made by the women for their children. Supposedly the 2nd largest collection that exists. Over the years, I have had to break up the collection. These two dolls (on custom mounts) are the best of the collection. They are wearing early cotton clothing and have shell necklaces.

From the collection of Anthropologist William Neil “Seri Bill” Smith, Jr. who was born in 1920 in New York City and moved to Tucson, Arizona at age fourteen. He attended the University of Arizona from 1939-42 and 1946-48, studying under Byron Cummings and Edward Spicer. From 1945-1967, Smith made many extended ethnographical field trips to Sonora, Mexico, to study the Seri Indians at Desemboque and Tiburon Island. His research included lifestyle, customs, language, genealogy, kinship, and cultural changes due to the influence of outsiders. Smith’s personal Seri Indian collection was assembled while doing his fieldwork. The collection consists of over 700 objects covering all aspects of Seri life. Most of the objects were collected from 1947-1951. University of Arizona Special collections holds 24 linear feet on Smith’s archives and photography.

Condition is good with only minor wear and tear.

Height – Male – 26″ Female – 15″

Custom Stands Included