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.

Large, egg-shaped orange clay owl with small base holds two similar smaller owls, each perched on the front tip of a narrow striped wing. Body details are precisely hand painted in black and dark orange onto the white slipped and polished background. Large eyes with numerous lashes, conical ears and prominent open mouth with long narrow upper beak have thick black outlines.