Lela Gutierrez began making pottery in the 1930’s.  This is one of those early pieces with a polished rim and base along with a polychrome painted central section.  She was among the first to begin making polychrome pottery at Santa Clara.  This jar has a classic kiva step and mountain pattern with a water serpent head in the center.  It is signed on the bottom with a white clay slip, “Lela”.  The jar is in good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  There are a few surface scratches.  The use of the white clay for the signatures is an interesting phenomena at Santa Clara.  In the 1930’s there is a whole period when a number of potters all signed their red or polychrome pieces with the white clay  It’s unusual but also a great way to help date a piece in time.