Santa Clara Pueblo Polychrome Pottery Dish with Handles by Lela and Van Gutierrez [SOLD]

This dish by Lela and Van Gutierrez of Santa Clara Pueblo is an extraordinary one with a beautiful multi-colored Avanyu (water serpent) filling the interior surface. It was executed in black, red, blue, and rust on a beige background. The rim and handles are painted red, and the underside is painted beige.

Lela Naranjo Gutierrez (1895-1966) and her husband Van (c1870-1956) tested many ideas in pottery making, but only when they developed a decorative scheme featuring earth colors on a matte background did they achieve one, which was an enduring success. Bold curvilinear designs on neutral tan or beige became the base for a new Santa Clara style. [Toulouse, 1977]

The polychrome wares created by Lela and Van in the early 1900s continued to be produced by younger members of the Gutierrez family, notably their children Margaret and Luther, and Luther’s daughter Pauline.

Following the death of his dad, Luther teamed with his mom and the two worked until Lela passed away, then Luther and his sister Margaret teamed until Luther passed away.  Now, Margaret has passed away, leaving only Luther’s daughter Pauline working in this style.

This Santa Clara Pueblo Polychrome Pottery Dish with Handles by Lela and Van Gutierrez is signed Lela/Van Sta. Clara.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: Originally obtained from a collection from North Carolina.  Now from our client to whom we sold it in 2008.

Reference: Touluse, Betty. Pueblo Pottery of the New Mexico Indians: Ever Constant, Ever Changing

The image of Lela and Van Gutierrez Santa Clara Pueblo is circa 1933.  Artists' image courtesy of Rick Dillingham, source Fourteen Families In Pueblo Pottery by Rick Dillingham.

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