Crowned Owl
Crowned Owl
(Italian, 18th century)
Deeply carved with large circular eyes, layered plumage and a stylised crown, the open mouth pierced to act as a waterspout.
Carved Stone mounted on a modern black metal stand |
Height: 35 cm
The crowned owl has a long history in Italian heraldic and emblematic imagery, where the bird’s ability to see in darkness made it a natural symbol of wisdom, vigilance and perception.
In Siena, the owl became the emblem of the Contrada della Civetta, whose motto, “Vedo nella notte” — “I see in the night” — neatly expresses this association and the idea of insight beyond ordinary sight. The owl also appears in the arms of Italian families including the Meduna, demonstrating its wider heraldic use as a symbol of watchfulness, intellect and discernment.
The addition of a crown lends the image a further
sense of rank and authority, strengthening its heraldic
character. Combined with the deeply carved eyes
and pierced open mouth, the motif would have
been especially effective in an architectural setting,
where the sculpture’s bold frontal form and probable function as a fountain mask could be fully appreciated.
(Italian, 18th century)
Deeply carved with large circular eyes, layered plumage and a stylised crown, the open mouth pierced to act as a waterspout.
Carved Stone mounted on a modern black metal stand |
Height: 35 cm
The crowned owl has a long history in Italian heraldic and emblematic imagery, where the bird’s ability to see in darkness made it a natural symbol of wisdom, vigilance and perception.
In Siena, the owl became the emblem of the Contrada della Civetta, whose motto, “Vedo nella notte” — “I see in the night” — neatly expresses this association and the idea of insight beyond ordinary sight. The owl also appears in the arms of Italian families including the Meduna, demonstrating its wider heraldic use as a symbol of watchfulness, intellect and discernment.
The addition of a crown lends the image a further
sense of rank and authority, strengthening its heraldic
character. Combined with the deeply carved eyes
and pierced open mouth, the motif would have
been especially effective in an architectural setting,
where the sculpture’s bold frontal form and probable function as a fountain mask could be fully appreciated.