Otto Pentewa, Hopi Pueblo Carver

Hopi Pueblo artist Otto Pentewa is a name any collector of Hopi Katsina dolls recognizes. They may never have seen him or seen his signature on a Katsina doll, but they recognize his work immediately.

Otto Pentewa (1886-1961) Sikovaya - Pumpkin Flower was born at the village of Oraibi on the Hopi Reservation at the end of the 19th century. He was of the Katsina Clan and his Hopi name was Sikovaya, which translates to Pumpkin Flower. One of the distinguishing designs on his Katsina carvings is the pumpkin flower he generally painted on the loin cloth of the doll. It was his hallmark signature.

Shortly after the turn of the century, he married and moved to the village of Kykotsmovi where he and his wife raised eleven children. His son, Richard Pentewa, continued in the tradition of carving Katsina dolls.

Relative Links: Hopi Katsina dolls, Katsina doll, Hopi Pueblo, Katsina carvings, Richard Pentewa