Max Curley Masterpiece – Two-Sided Masaw and Masaw Mana – SOLD

In my opinion, this is Max Curley’s magnum opus: a large double Masaw carving which he made from what he calls “gnarly wood.” This piece takes unusual raw wood and transforms it into a sculptural form. One side depicts the male Masawkatsina and the other his female partner, Masawmana. The carving of the two is exceptional by itself, but what really puts the piece over the top are all the Hopi symbols/ petroglyphs he has added. He told us that the symbols include corn, migration, snakes, rain clouds, friendship, handprints, warrior shields, bird tracks, a crane and Ewtoto, the Father katsina. This carving features a thorough inventory of Hopi symbology. The sculpture is 22″ tall including the pahos on the head (which are removable for shipping), 8 1/2″ wide and 6″ deep. This piece is featured on pages 116 and 117 in our Native American Art magazine article on distressed dolls in the August/ September 2025 issue.