Zuni Pueblo Family of Owls

This Zuni Pueblo pottery owl figurine ensemble features an adult owl with two owlets perched on her wings. The large owl has a body diameter of 5-¾ inches, and rests on a flat bottom. Feathers are illustrated by thin curved lines. The eyes are large brown circles, outlined in orange, with eyelashes surrounding the eye. The beak is the typical style of Zuni owls, and the mouth is open. The two owlets mimic the larger one in design. The figurine is not signed with the name of an artist.

Zuni owl figurines are not solid clay because of potential cracking during firing. They are hollow with an escape hole at the mouth for exit of air during firing. Construction of such figures is the same as for a jar-coil method. Such freestanding figures were being made before the Spanish arrived. It is not known if there was a function or reason for figurines, or if they were and are strictly for pleasure. There is no doubt that they are pleasurable to observe.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Zuni Pueblo Family of Owls is from a client in Colorado

Recommended Reading: Dialogues With Zuni Potters by Suzanne Abel-Vidor

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Zuni Pueblo, Historic Pottery, Pottery Figurines