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.

Egg-shaped clay owl has body details hand painted directly onto the dark orange clay in black everywhere except on the thickly outlined white belly. Eyes have lashes on one side, a half moon on the other and are divided by a loop beak with tiny painted nostrils at point where it joins the un decorated head area.