Margaret and Luther Gutierrez 13-Piece Colorful Santa Clara Nacimiento [SOLD]

When first laying eyes on this Santa Clara Pueblo nativity scene, or nacimiento, one may have the feeling that they have never seen anything quite like it.  Margaret and Luther Gutierrez continued their distinctive family style of making pottery using a variety of colors including red, tan, gold, blue, black, white, and green pigments, all obtained from natural sources.  Furthermore, the family has long been known for the creation of figurines. 

The level of creativity and original thought put into the creation of this Nacimiento is rivaled by none other.  Figurines made in the traditional manor, hand shaped and fired outdoors, catapult into the future with their shape and decorative elements.  Each piece is colorful and smiling, even the animals. Noses have been depicted in the way someone learning to draw faces may first interpret the task and eyes are big and childlike.  Every figurine was highly decorated with kiva steps, clouds, avanyu serpents and more. 

The set includes Mary and Joseph, kneeling in prayer over baby Jesus who is removable from his bed.  Additionally, there are three kings with gifts: a weary bird, moccasins, and a pot.  A very whimsical donkey, a cow, and two small sheep join to finish the scene.  Each figurine is signed Margaret and Luther underneath.  Two angels were made later by just Margaret Gutierrez, signed as such, and added to this nacimiento. 

There have been endless variations and combinations of personal, artistic, and religious notions when it comes to scenes of nativity.  The Pueblo people have created an entirely new element of nativity scenes with their special style and blend of personal religion and that of those who influenced it.  New colors, ideas, and especially wise person’s gifts are some of the ways Pueblo Nacimientos stand out from the rest.  

Margaret and Luther Gutierrez may be of the Pueblo nations, they may be from Santa Clara specifically, but they have truly taken the unique talent and ideas they’ve had between them to manifest a Nacimiento that has the capacity to bring much joy to anyone who may encounter it. 

Margaret Gutierrez (1936-2018) and her brother Luther (1911-1987) learned to make pottery from their parents, Lela and Van Gutierrez. Margaret and Luther gained many awards for their pottery. They were one of the few families to keep this important polychrome pottery tradition alive at Santa Clara Pueblo, which contemporarily, has focused more so on carved blackware.

Condition: these figurines are in excellent, if not original condition

Provenance: this Margaret and Luther Gutierrez 13-Piece Colorful Santa Clara Nacimiento is from a private collection

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

Relative Links: Lela and Van Gutierrez, Santa Clara Pueblo, Pottery Figurines, Southwest Indian Pottery, nacimientos, Margaret and Luther Gutierrez