1950s Komantsi Katsina with Excellent Detail

This Komantsi katsina from the 1950s reflects the imminent shift from the Late Action style to the Ultra-Realistic style. Note all the detail on the headdress with its precisely woven yarn braid. Note also in photo 2, the strand of piki bread in the left hand and the basket attached to the katsina’s belt. The belt, sash, necklace, and boots are all carefully painted. The katsina is just under 10″ tall with the professional metal stand (to which it is not attached) adding 1/8″. This style represents a key period of change in Hopi katsina carving history.  (For more info on these periods, see my book on “The Great Tradition of Hopi Carving”).