Bidspirit auction | Israeli Nostalgia / Educational Television

Israeli Nostalgia / Educational Television – ”Kishkashta” Costume Hat [Handmade / One-of-a-Kind], Circa 1980s/90s - A unique and characterful costume hat in the likeness of Kishkashta – the national cactus and undisputed star of the mythological children's program ”Mah Pitom?!” of Israeli Educational Television. The hat is made of thick, durable canvas/cotton fabric in a deep sabra-green tone, and incorporates eye slits, a protruding three-dimensional nose, and the two asymmetrical cactus pads associated with the character. Kishkashta's large eyes were cut and sewn by hand with a coarse, expressive blanket stitch; the edges incorporate exposed overlock finishing and deliberate fabric fraying to simulate the cactus's spines. The piece represents the ”folk culture” phenomenon of 1980s and 90s Israel: a period in which beloved television characters received no mass commercial merchandising, and parents were required to design and sew their children's costumes from scratch through home craftsmanship (DIY). The hat is preserved in excellent physical condition, clean and complete, and retains its original tie-strings for fastening under the chin. Width: 42 cm. In good condition; light wear, light fraying along the edges.