Dorothy and Paul Gutierrez Santa Clara Red Pottery Nacimiento [SOLD]

Santa Clara Pueblo artists Dorothy and Paul Gutierrez beautifully exemplified a Pueblo Nacimiento in this mid-sized pottery set.  Mary is fully swathed in a textile with eyes closed and mouth open in prayer or song.  Joseph is similarly poised, sitting cross legged and wears his hair in two braids.  Baby Jesus is fully cradled with his small mouth open wide, and surrounded by a donkey, cow, and two sheep.  The artists carefully selected specific portions of each figurine to stone polish, and others to remain matte.  

Santa Clara Pueblo is one of the northern pueblos with a wonderful iron rich clay that, when oxidized in the firing process, will remain red.  This coloration has become well-loved and is special amongst pueblo pottery.  

Paul and Dorothy Gutierrez are a husband-and-wife pottery making team living at Santa Clara Pueblo. They are specialists at making figurative pottery.  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.

Condition: this nacimiento is in very good condition

Provenance: this Dorothy and Paul Gutierrez Santa Clara Red Pottery Nacimiento is from a private collection

Reference: Monthan, Guy and Doris.  Nacimientos: Nativity Scenes by Southwest Indian Artisans

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Pottery, Santa Clara Pueblo, nacimientos, Paul and Dorothy Gutierrez, Santa Clara Pueblo Potters