Owl Figure

Pottery owls became important tourist items when the railroad and then Route 66 allowed for large numbers of tourists to travel to the Southwest. This collection of 192 Zuni pottery owls includes examples from before 1900 through 2006. Zuni potters continue to make owls and family traditions in the medium continue. While many younger potters are innovating, the owls are distinctly Zuni.

In traditional Zuni lore, the owl is considered a wise guardian and protector. An owl’s ability to see at night means that it sees what others cannot, giving it understanding of the spiritual and physical world.

Gourd-shaped orange clay owl holds worm in beak and has long tail that touches ground and causes it to lean forward. The beige slipped body is covered with scattered. overlapping brownish black feathers with centre dots, except for T-shaped face filled with two-tone brown and orange conical ears and eyes and long brown beak..Large, wrap around wings are striped on one side, spotted on the other.