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, dark orange clay owl stands on thick legs with large orange four-toed feet. Light brown slipped body has very large, dot-centred overlapping feathers hand painted in reddish brown over most of it and the almost identical wings and tail are striped on one side, spotted on the other. Eyes bulge out in front of flat ears and the open beak is fringed where it crosses the head.