WOW!  This is an amazing,  large storage jar by Lois Gutierrez. The jar is an elegant shape with a wide shoulder that comes to a sharp edge, then extends up to the rim. The jar is slipped with a white/creame colored clay and then painted with various clay slips before firing. The neck of the jar has swirling cloud, avanyu, and geometric designs.  Below the dancers, there are additional interlocking clouds and bird wings.  Of course, it is the center of the jar that is so amazing!  There are 14 Pueblo dancers painted on the jar depicting the Buffalo Dance. The first two are a singer and drummer.  Then there are the male and female Buffalo Dancers.  Then there are Elk Dancers, Ram Dancer, Deer Dancers, and the last two are Antelope Dancers.  If you have ever been to the Buffalo Dance, the Antelop Dancers are usually young boys who run around like antelope!  The detail and precision on each figure is amazing, from the evergreens on their arms to the detail on each kilt and the feathers on the antler headdresses.  Simply. Amazing! There are at least SIX different colors of clay on this jar, making it a true polychrome.  The jar was traditionally fired outdoors and overall is a striking coloration.  It is signed on the bottom of the jar, “Lois Derek”.   It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.

Brand

Gutierrez, Lois (b. 1948)

Lois Gutierrez

Lois Gutierrez is the sister of noted potters Gloria Garcia (Goldenrod), Minnie Vigil and Thelma Talachy. She has won numerous awards for her pottery, including "Best of Show" at the Santa Fe Indian Market in the early 1980's. Her work has been featured in numerous books including "Talking with the Clay" and "Beyond Traditions". She is one of the few potters at Santa Clara Pueblo who continues to create true polychrome pottery. Each of the different colors on this piece are derived from different clays! Few potters are willing to take the time to find the different clays to create the various colors.