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 clay owl has rounded edge wings that wrap around towards the belly on which are perched two similar smaller owls. Details are hand painted in black, dark orange, and white onto a mottled background of yellow, orange and brown paint applied to the pale orange fired clay . Indian motifs in black decorate the white upper side of the wings on all three owls and the flower-like eyes of the adult owl are recessed.