Lawrence Dallas
Koyemsi Kiva
3 1/2"
H x 5" L
"Koyemsi or Mud-head
Kachinas are probably the most well known of all the Hopi kachinas.
They appear in almost every Hopi ceremony as clowns, interocutors,
announcers of dances, drummers, and many other roles.
"The nearly always accompany
other kachinas; probably the only time when they do not appear
with other personages is during the Night Dances.
"Koyemsi are usually
the ones that play games with the audiences to the accompaniment
of rollicking tunes. These games are generally guessing games,
or simple attempts to balance objects or performances of some
common act. They most closely resemble our parlor games and the
rewards are prizes of food or clothing."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artists Documentary (238)
This outstanding carving was
created by Hopi master carver Lawrence Martin Dallas. Lawrence's
work is very much in demand and his pieces are true works of
art. He was born in 1969 in Moencopi, Arizona. He usually carves
small dolls and lets the wood tell him what to make. He likes
to carve Long Hair Kachinas and the Crow Mother.
Lawrence Dallas is featured
in many books, including: "Kachina Doll Carving" by
Erik Bromberg and is prominently featured in: "Hopi Kachina
Dolls and Their Carvers" by Theda Bassman on pages 30-33.
Lawrence has signed the doll
with his hallmark: "L Dallas" on top of the base.
