Lela and Luther Gutierrez Santa Clara Pueblo Polychrome Jar with Handles [SOLD]

In this exquisite Santa Clara Pueblo pottery jar with a pair of handles, Lela Gutierrez showed her expertise in construction. Likewise, Luther Gutierrez exhibited his skill in painting. Luther placed exquisite Avanyu both on the front and back of this jar.  Each Avanyu was exquisitely rendered in elaborate detail in colors of orange, red, green, white, and black.  

Lela Naranjo Gutierrez (1895-1966) and her son Luther Gutierrez (1911-1987) collaborated on pottery following the death of Lela’s husband, Van, in 1956. For the decade they worked together, Lela and Van were true innovators at Santa Clara Pueblo. They specialized in pictorial designs in a variety of hues and colors not normally associated with pueblo pottery. Luther continued in his father’s style.

The jar is co-signed Lela/Luther Sta. Clara Pue.  It dates to the period 1956-1966, the decade that Luther assisted his mom.

Condition: structurally in excellent condition, with abrasions throughout the surfaces of the jar (see below).

Provenance: this Lela and Luther Gutierrez Santa Clara Pueblo Polychrome Jar with Handles is from a personal collection

Recommended Reading: Pueblo Pottery of the New Mexico Indians: Ever Constant, Ever Changing by Betty Toulouse

Relative Links: Santa Clara Pueblo, Luther and Margaret Gutierrez, Lela and Van Gutierrez, Margaret Gutierrez, Lela and Luther Gutierrez, Santa Clara Pueblo Potters