Owl still bank c. 1915

This Zuni "Owl still bank" is a unique and evocative piece of Native American art. The ceramic sculpture, crafted around 1915, depicts an owl in a stylized form, its body covered in a pattern of overlapping scales. The owl's large, expressive eyes are painted in bold red and black, adding to the piece's sense of dynamism. This type of bank, known as a "still bank," is designed with a small opening in the back, allowing the user to insert coins and withdraw them through a small, round hole in the owl's chest. The Zuni people have a long history of creating pottery with spiritual and symbolic significance. The owl, with its association with wisdom and insight, likely held particular meaning for the artist and the Zuni community.