This is a large polychrome wedding vase is Margaret and Luther Gutierrez. Margaret would make the pottery and Luther, her brother would paint the surface.  They were one of the few potters creating polychrome pottery at Santa Clara.  They began working together after the passing of their mother, Lela Gutierrez.  This wedding vase has Yei figures and frogs painted on the spouts.  In the center are a rainbow and rain cloud pattern.  To the sides are small corn plants, that are symbols of prosperity.  The coloration and style of the design indicate that the vase is from the late 1960s or early 1970s.  All of the colors are from natural clay slips.   It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  It is signed on the bottom, “Margaret/Luther”.

Brand

Gutierrez, Luther (1911-1987)

Luther Gutierrez

Luther Gutierrez (1911-1987) was a son of noted potters, Lela and Van Gutierrez. He began painting his mother's pottery in 1956. They worked together until 1966, and then he began painting the pottery of his sister, Margaret. Their pieces are signed, "Margaret/Luther." Over the years they won numerous awards for their distinctive polychrome pottery.

Gutierrez, Margaret (1936-2018)

Margaret Gutierrez

Margaret Gutierrez (1936-2018) and her brother Luther (1911-1987) learned to make pottery from their parents, Lela and Van Gutierrez. Margaret and Luther won numerous awards for their polychrome pottery. They were one of the few families to keep this important polychrome pottery tradition alive at Santa Clara Pueblo. Their pieces are signed on the bottom, "Margaret/Luther". They won numerous awards for their pottery at events such as Santa Fe Indian Market and been featured in various books on Pueblo pottery including the classic 1974 Arizona Highways.