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Metadata
Artist |
Bica, Nellie |
Object Name |
Figurine |
Title |
Polychrome Owl |
Date |
mid-20th century |
Place of Origin |
Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico, United States |
Medium |
Clay: painted |
Dimensions |
3 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. (8.9 x 6.4 cm) |
Accession Number |
4663.0.0 |
Credit line |
Gift of Philip Elenko |
About This Work |
Zuni potter Nellie Bica is especially noted for her owl figurines. She learned to make pottery as early as 1917. Bica has been credited with keeping the craft alive in the Zuni culture and passing it on by teaching it to her daughter and three granddaughters. Zuni Pueblo has a long tradition of making figurative ceramics. Owls were found in Zuni figurines produced for hundreds of years and became popular items for tourists in the southwest by the 1920s. Bica's cream-colored figure is created from local clay with brown and terracotta detailing. |