This style of work began to evolve around 1970 and was accelerated when Hopis were not allowed to sell katsinas that had migratory bird feathers - not even of those birds which could be legally hunted, like ducks. While some carvers worked with grouse, pheasant and pigeon feathers, others found a receptive audience for carved wooden feathers, which were not susceptible to damage from moths and crickets. In time very highly detailed work emerged, along with the concept of 'one piece carvings' - dolls which were carved without anything being carved separately and added on. (the problem is that cottonwood root is soft and carving an arm out across the grain was structurally unsound so most "one piece" dolls will have items carved separately and then attached - like bows or protruding mouths.)
In any event, while a return to the older style carving has diminished the number of carvings working in this style, many still do (and many carve both styles).

A Mongwa (Owl) katsina by Cedric Honyumptewa. 11 inches tall. Really great motion in this one. $1600. The Navajo clown was carved by Carl Sulu. 12 inches tall. $875 (BOTH IN TUCSON)


A Talavai’i katsina carved by Nate Jacobs of the Tobacco Clan from Second Mesa. $875 (SANTA FE)

A Nata’aska or Ogre Katsina by Matthew Komalestewa, from Hano villag. $650. From base to the top he stands at 14 and 1/2 inches tall. Next a Sowi’ngwkatsina or Deer Dancer Katsina by Mark Tawahongva. Standing at 14” from base to the tip of the antler. This is the Rio Grande version, adopted and adapted by the Hopi. $1100. (BOTH IN SANTA FE)

A Mosayru or Bison (Buffalo…) Dancer by the award-wining carver, Ron Honyouti. It stands just under 9 inches tall and has several bison carved in bas-relief along the base. $2100. The Tasaf Mana was carved by Cecil Calnimptewa Jr. He was among the most famous and awarded carvers of the 1970s and 80s. 8.75 inches tall. $1100. (BOTH IN SANTA FE)

The two photos at left are of a Patzro or Waterbird by Lauren Honyouti. This one measures just under 10 inches high and $1,875. The Tsili or Chile katsina in the two photos at right was made by Lester Quanimptewa. 7 inches high and $500. (Both in SANTA FE)

A 360° view of a beautiful Patnga Mana (Squash Maiden) by Dominic East. She is 10.75 inches high and $900. (Santa Fe)

The Haniya above was carved by Andrew Sahmie Sr. In his hands are gifts that will be given out during the ceremony. It is approximately 11.25 inches high and $1,275. (Santa Fe)

By Andrew Sahmie Sr, a Koyemsi or Mudhead wearing a Santa hat. He is 8.75 inches high and is $750. (SANTA FE)

A Pang (Mountain Sheep) katsina by Andrew Sahmie. It stands 11.25 inches tall. $1200. Also by Andrew is this Butterfly Maiden with a butterfly hovering near her feet. 12 inches tall. SOLD. (BOTH IN SANTA FE)

A magnificent Mongwa Mana or Owl Maiden by Wayne Poleahla. This one is 11.5 inches high and $1,100. (SANTA FE)


The Taawa or Sun Katsina in the two photos at left is by Wilmer Kaye. It is 12.5 inches high including the base and is $975. The Kaisale in the two photos at right was carved by Lowell Talashoma Jr. He is 10.25 inches high and $1,275. (SANTA FE)

A marvelously detailed Eagle katsina by Gene Dawahoya from Songoópavi Village on Second Mesa. 10 inches tall. $2200. (TUCSON)

Andrew Sahmie (photo at right) carved this Koshare who is clearly up to some mischief, judging from his slingshot. Perhaps he intends to use it to keep other Koshares away from his stash of corn, chiles and watermelon. 10 inches tall. $675. A Koyemsi (Mudhead) katsina, carrying a small Hahai Wuuhti flat doll for a young girl and a bow and rattle for a boy. By Stacy Talahytewa from Munqapi Village. 10.5 inches tall and $525. (ALL IN SANTA FE)

Though he resolutely refused to take credit, the late Brian Honyouti (1947-2016) of Paakavi village was the person who began the highly detailed style of katsina carving, often referred to as “one piece” carvings. This miniature Sakwa Honan or Blue Badger with the face of the Brown Badger on the back of the base is essentially a “one piece” carving, the exception being the rattle top. To make the impossible possible he did things like making sure the feathers of the Badger on the base touch the feet of the fox pelt of the Blue Badger. I used to watch him carve when I came up for a visit…an amazing process that combined great talent with great patience. In the 4th photo at the base, next to the Brown badger you can see -if you look carefully- his initials. 8 inches tall and $975. (TUCSON)

Tsakwyna - one of the warrior katsinas. By Jon Gaseoma. 6.75 inches tall and $500. The Yaapa or Mockingbird is by Andrew Sahmie. It stands 10.5 inches tall and is $1100. (SANTA FE)

A Toho or Mountain Lion, by Lee Grover Jr, carved in 1997. 11 inches tall. $1275 (TUCSON) A Pookanghoya, one of the Warrior Twins, by Leon Myron. 14 inches tall. $675 (TUCSON)

Andrew Sahmie carved the beautiful Butterfly Maiden with her gourd and rasp, with a base of the flowers the butterfly pollinates. 9 inches tall and $875. (TUCSON)

A matched pair of Kwaakatsinas or Eagle Katsinas by Ned Bert. 15 inches tall. $800 each. (TUCSON)

A Koshare (Koyala) with his medical marijuana…. Click on the images to better appreciate the exceptional detail and his expression. 10.5 inches tall including the base, it was carved by Hopi carver Richard Gorman. $975. (SANTA FE)

A Wupa’akatsina by Andrew Sahmie Sr from First Mesa. 9.5 inches high, including the base. $600. Tsakurshmana or Yellow Corn Maiden as she appears during the Niman or Home Dance, carrying her rasp and gourd resonator. By Tim Talawepi. 12 inches high.$1275. A Kwiwilyaqa or Mocking katsina in his usual inappropriate footwear…10.75 inches tall and $950. (SANTA FE)

A very determined Koshare basketball player, by Sherald Holguin. 5.5 Inches high, including base. $600.(SANTA FE)