This is a classic polychrome water jar by Lois Gutierrez.  She is one of the few potters who continues to create polychrome pottery at Santa Clara.  Polychrome, or more than three different colors of clay slips, are all painted onto the surface of the vessel before it is fired. This jar has a round shoulder and turned out rim. The shoulder of the jar has painted flowers.  There are butterflies on either side of the neck separated by rain and flower designs. The jar is painted with delicate lines and open space that accentuates the designs.  The jar has SEVEN different colors of clay used to paint the designs.  Note the overall complexity of the design and all the various clay colors!  The jar was traditionally fired.  It is signed on the bottom, “Lois 1993”.

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.