Polychrome Wedding Vase by Margaret and Luther

This polychrome pottery wedding vase was made by Margaret and Luther Gutierrez of Santa Clara Pueblo. The brother and sister duo did a fine job with this piece, offering a traditional form decorated in a design style that their family invented.

The design, which repeats twice, makes use of the wedding vase shape beautifully. It is centered around the widest point of the bulbous base, with multiple semicircular forms set within one another. Rain clouds, lightning, sun faces, rainbows, turtles, and Yei figures all appear here, as do a variety of more abstract forms. Remarkably, it doesn't feel too busy—the designs suit the vessel quite well.

The bottom of the vase is signed Margaret / Luther.

Margaret (1936-2018) and Luther (1911-1987) Gutierrez were the children of potters Lela and Van Gutierrez. Lela and Van developed one of the most distinctive and recognizable styles of pueblo pottery. Their use of multicolored pigments to decorate pottery is unique. Margaret and her brother Luther continued painting in this style and began to create animals and small whimsical figurines. The duo received many notable awards for their work. After Luther passed away, Margaret carried on the tradition on her own.

What is the Purpose of a Wedding Vase?

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Polychrome Wedding Vase by Margaret and Luther is from a private Florida collection

Recommended Reading: Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery by Rick Dillingham

TAGS: Lela and Van Gutierrez, Santa Clara Pueblo, Pottery Figurines, Southwest Indian Pottery, Margaret and Luther Gutierrez