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.

Vintage, round and somewhat unstable, orange clay owl is hand made and hand painted in black over a white background, only the ears are red. Lower portion of body is covered with crowded feather patterning, upper part is spotted all over, and the asymmetrical wings and tail near the base are striped. Tiny eyes, knobby ears and base of beak perch in small area at the top.