Santa Clara Pueblo 17-piece Pottery Red-on-buff Nacimiento [SOLD]

Nacimiento is the Spanish word for a nativity scene or crèche. According to recorded information, the first Indian-made nacimientos appeared in the late 1950s. The artisans bring their own unique perspective to the traditional nativity scene—the figures are often dressed in traditional pueblo clothing and bring gifts such as corn, blankets, bread, chile, and sheep instead of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Paul and Dorothy Gutierrez are a husband and wife team living at Santa Clara Pueblo. Paul is the grandson of Lela and Van Gutierrez and the son of Luther Gutierrez, (of Margaret & Luther fame), all of Santa Clara Pueblo. Dorothy is Diné, and has been an active potter since the 1970s. She and Paul specialize in figurative pottery.

Paul and Dorothy make most of their pottery figurines in the black-on-black style, but have made red-on-buff style on occasion.  This 17-piece red-on-buff nacimiento was made in 1985.  It consists of the Holy Family, Three Kings*, Shepherds, Angels and many animals.  The red slip is stone polished and the tan clay is left in a matte finish. The Three Kings bear gifts of a bowl of corn, a red water jar, and a pair of moccasins. 

Paul and Dorothy were included in the book Nacimientos in 1979 when the first edition was published.  One of their red-on-buff nacimientos was included in full color.       

Condition: original condition

Provenance: from the collection of a family from Kansas who has downsized to a smaller home and no longer has room for its extensive collection of pottery.             

Recommended Reading: Nacimientos: Nativity Scenes by Southwest Indian Artisans by Guy and Doris Monthan

*The Magi, also referred to as the (Three) Wise Men or (Three) Kings were, in the Gospel of Matthew and Christian tradition, a group of distinguished foreigners who visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They are regular figures in traditional accounts of the nativity celebrations of Christmas and are an important part of Christian tradition.  -Wikipedia