Gutierrez, Lela & Van – Polychrome Bowl with Old-Style Avanyu (1930s)

6.5"w x 5"h

$ 1,100.00

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 fully polychrome painted.  All the various colors were derived from clay slips. The bow has an old-style feathered avanyu as the design.  The avanyu is swirling down and there are scenes with a sun, mountains, deer and water.  Each avanyu has tightly painted feathers on their “horn”.  The bowl has at least eight different colors of clay used to paint the designs.  Note the use of various colors, and especially the purple and blue, that we see in their earlier work.  Typical of their earlier painted pieces, there is open space along with complex designs.  Definitely a fascinating piece! It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.   It is signed, “Lela  Van” on the bottom.

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