Lela Gutierrez began making pottery in the 1930s with her husband, Van Gutierrez.  After Van passed away in 1956 she continued to make pottery with her son, Luther Gutierrez. This bowl is one of their classic shapes.  It is a round shape and is designed with an old-style avanyu and a deer and star pattern.  It is sometimes the little details that are so intriguing in Van’s painting!  The colorations of the clays place it in the late 1930s or early 1940s.  The purple-colored clay was used by a variety of potters at that time. It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair. .   It is signed, “Lela Van” on the bottom.