Lawrence Dallas
Mixed Kachinas
4" H
with 1 1/4" base
This fine set 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.
The set features:
Hototo - "Hototo appears on all three
mesas and on Third Mesa he is represented by two kachinas. It
is quite probable that this was true of the other two mesas at
a point earlier in time. These kachinas appear most often at
the Bean Dance or Pachavu Ceremony, but may also be seen in the
Mixed Dance.
"They are very important
War Kachinas on Third Mesa, and it is said that the hair that
hangs in place of an ear represents a scalp."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artists Documentary (44)
Hilili - The Hilili "is apparently a
kachina that has made its way from Acoma or Laguna by a process
of osmosis. In these pueblos he is known as Heleleka. By the
time he reached the Hopis prior to the turn of the century, his
name had changed to Hilili, 'from the call that he makes.'
"His first appearance
was among the Hopis of First Mesa and the other two mesas made
known their disapproval by calling this a witch or Powak Kachina.
However, his popularity as a guard kachina and admiration for
his rapid dance has increased.
"Now he is found on all
the mesas in a great variety of forms. He appears very frequently
in the Powamu and in the Night Dances."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (43)
Chaveyo - "Chaveyo is one of the more
cosmopolitan kachinas. He is represented in nearly every pueblo,
but his original home was probably in the San Juan area of New
Mexico.
"However for the Hopis
his home is the San Francisco Mountains, and he is the husband
of Hahai-i Wuhti. The family of Hahai-i Wuhti and Chaveyo are
the Nataskas, the dreadful Sosoyok't.
"Chaveyo is the Sergeant
Snorkle of the kachinas. Should any Hopi fail to meet his obligations
in community work or transgress the unspoken rules of conduct
for the village, Chaveyo will show him the error of his ways.
"Chaveyo often appears
with Soyoko on First Mesa but can appear for the same purpose
anytime during the spring months. However, he is usually seen
in the Powamu or Palolokongti (Water Serpent Dance) being badgered
by the clowns who eventually will be soundly whacked for their
efforts.
"This 'giant' kachina
is a favorite of kachina carvers and his irritable cantankerousness
usually shows in the dolls that represent him. Those who see
him for the first time at a kachina dance usually remember the
kachina with 'all those feathers and a sword.'"
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (27)
