Owl Figure

Item number 2731/178 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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Description

Large, egg-shaped white clay owl with four replica baby owls, two sitting on the left wing, one on the tail, and one the right wing. Bodies are slipped and burnished, with details hand painted in black and orange. Face area is thickly outlined, divided into to by the tiny loop beak and filled by the eyes with long lashes. Wings and tail have a small border of stripes at the edge, curly feathers extend down the back of the headand the rest of the body is covered tight-knit mesh feathers.

Narrative

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.

Iconographic Meaning

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.