Owls
"Night Rider"- is an owl with feather designs, by Norman Lansing of Cortez, Colorado. Scraffito etched into a glazed piece of pottery is a design of figures, patterns, and earthly and heavenly bodies. Always imaginative, Normans' work tells tales of Native American folk stories. Measuring 4 inches wide by 2 1/2 inches tall.
Tagua Nut is a very hard fiber that allows for detailed carving. The Owl has different meanings depending on the tribe, generally though he is the seer in the night, the messenger and the wise one.
Zuni carver Ruben Najera is well known for his detailed carvings in antler and ivory. Pictured is one of his finest examples. An owl is perched in a tree, looking down on the observer. This carving measures 2" in height.
This piece of carved Hopi pottery is hand coiled and formed by Lawrence Namoki. His meticulous attention to detail can be seen in every line. This pot's designs are raised with the background cut away in the Sgraffito style, which is the cutting away of different layers of clay to expose colored layers. This style makes for a very dramatic design, especially with the very finely detailed designs painted on this particular piece of artwork. This pot measures 4.5" in diameter and 6.5" tall. Among the many designs laid out and inscribed in intricate relief on this pot are images of a Crow Mother Kachina or Katsina, an owl, and Hands with gifts among others.
