{"product_id":"the-birds-ask-at-night-zuni-owlface-pin","title":"The Birds ask at Night - Zuni Owlface Pin","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere are birds that announce the morning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd there are birds that wait until everyone else has gone quiet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOwls have always belonged to that second world. Across cultures, they’ve been symbols of wisdom, mystery, protection, and the ability to see what others miss. They don’t chase the brightest path—they find the hidden one.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat’s exactly what this little Zuni owl does.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe artist didn’t try to make a realistic portrait. Instead, they distilled an owl down to its essential features: impossibly large eyes, a sharp beak, alert ears, and a perfectly balanced circular face. Every piece of turquoise, shell, jet, mother-of-pearl, and coral was individually cut and fitted into place, transforming simple geometric shapes into an unmistakable personality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt almost feels surprised that you’ve noticed it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOr perhaps it’s quietly studying you.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZuni lapidary artists have long been celebrated for their remarkable ability to create expressive figures through stone inlay alone. Using color, proportion, and precision rather than elaborate silverwork, they brought animals to life with astonishing economy. This owl is a wonderful example of that tradition—playful enough to make you smile, yet sophisticated enough to reward a closer look.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSometimes the smallest pieces have the biggest personalities.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is one of them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtifact Registry\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtifact Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Birds Ask at Night\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaker:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Unknown Zuni Silversmith\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTribe\/Origin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEra:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Vintage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sterling Silver, Turquoise, Mother-of-Pearl, Jet, Shell, Mediterranean Coral\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Hand-fabricated sterling silver owl brooch featuring traditional Zuni channel and mosaic inlay with individually hand-cut stones and shell.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Excellent vintage condition with attractive age-appropriate patina.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector’s Gallery Value:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e$1200-$1600\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEstimated value for an equivalent work offered through a premier gallery or specialist Native American art dealer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eField Observation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnimal imagery has long been central to Zuni jewelry, where artists transformed birds, insects, frogs, bears, and other creatures into highly stylized wearable sculpture. Owl motifs are especially admired for their expressive character and precise lapidary work. This example demonstrates classic Zuni craftsmanship through tightly fitted inlay, balanced proportions, and a charming interpretation that captures the spirit of the owl with remarkably few elements.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEric’s Notes from the Field\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI’ve always loved that owls can turn their heads almost all the way around.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt’s as if nature gave them one impossible gift.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot sharper claws.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot faster wings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJust a different perspective.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat’s a pretty good reminder.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSometimes the answer isn’t finding a new path.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt’s looking at the old one from another angle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hespera Jewelry Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47722834362545,"sku":null,"price":1099.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0153\/9641\/files\/The_Birds_ask_at_Night_-_Zuni_Owlface_Pin.webp?v=1784580764","url":"https:\/\/hespera.com\/products\/the-birds-ask-at-night-zuni-owlface-pin","provider":"Hespera Jewelry Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}