18.5.21 - Owls

Folklore surrounding the Barn Owl is better recorded than for most other Owls. In English literature the Barn Owl had a sinister reputation probably because it was a bird of darkness, and darkness was always associated with death.

Among early English folk cures, alcoholism was treated with Owl egg. The imbiber was prescribed raw eggs and a child given this treatment was thought to gain lifetime protection against drunkenness.

Owls' eggs, cooked until they turned into ashes, were also used as a potion to improve eyesight.

https://www.owlpages.com/owls/articles.php?a=62

These are some of my favourite medieval owl illustrations that I found online:


My interpretation of the owl is made out of calico with velvet backing and I stitched the face on separately, like I did with my dolls. I used black thread, some different embroidery threads, and black beads for the eyes. I really like the colours on this one with the subtle grey body and yellow highlights, I think it is my favourite patch so far.

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