Design Gallery
Terracotta Owls
Terracotta Owls from West Bengal
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Details of the face of the terracotta owl
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Details of the patterns in front of the terracotta owl.
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Details of the carving on the legs of the terracotta owl.
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Side view of the face of the terracotta owl.
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Carved patterns from the back of the terracotta owl.
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Details from the tail of the terracotta owl.
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Another view of the bottom of the second terracotta owl.
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Detail of the patterns from the back of the second terracotta owl.
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Details of the top view of the terracotta owl.
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Patterns on the front view of the terracotta owl.
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Front view of the first terracotta owl.
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Full view of both the terracotta owls.
These are two Terracota sculpture of owls made from red soil from the river bed in Bishnupur in West Bengal. Bishnupur is 150 kms from Kolkatta located in the district of Bankura.
The owl has an abstract simplified form adorned with fine patterns created by carving into terrcota.
The terracotta sculptures are made by reefing the clay, then dried. The dried clay is cast and moulded and then placed in a kiln to harden.
The region has some of the finest craft traditions. Bishnupur is also known for its terracota temples as well as the exquisite Baluchari saris made of Tassur silk. Since stone was not available in the region, the kings in the 16th century built temples out of terracotta.
