Jimmie Koots – Grumpy Koyaala or Clown

I’ve often referred to James Kootshongsie, better known as Jimmie Koots, as the greatest Hopi comic carver of all time. His forms of humor go in many directions. Here we have a grumpy looking clown who is actually frowning. Not only is his mouth turned down at the corners, but so are his eyes! The carving is 11″ tall to the top of the horns. Very light, well-dried cottonwood root. This carving is probably from the 1940s. It was previously attached to a base as is shown by the holes on the bottom of the feet. 

For more info on Jimmie, see our chapter in The Great Tradition of Hopi Katsina Carvers, 1880 to Present.” (Rio Nuevo, 2019).