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Investment Grade Decorated Powder Horns |
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A Bit of Horn History Horns have served useful purposes for thousands of years. Many animal horns were used to make a variety of things but domestic cow horn seems to be the most common. In colonial times they reached the height both in utilitarian and as an art form. Hundreds of items were made from horn including all manner of small tools such as spoons, combs, dippers, scoops, message horns, blowing horns, small cups, and even book covers. Horns made excellent containers because they could be made air and water tight. Such horn containers were made to hold salt, rum, shot, gun powder, and a variety of other things. Powder horns in pericular became a beautiful art form. The powder horn served as a close companion to the musket, fowler, or Kentucky rifle or pistol. It carried the black powder propellant necessary to load and fire the firearm. A powder horn is tough, lightweight and spark proof. If made correctly it is both airtight and waterproof. During the mid-eighteenth century every man who owned a firearm owned a powder horn. It could be plain or fancy. A fancy horn would show ones status in life. Many horns were engraved to commemorate an event in ones life. Many horns were made and decorated while soldiers were in winter camp. The art work runs from crude to intricate, from folk art to professional art. The work performed on these horns are a record of our past. The tools used were mainly of a homemade nature. The knife or a needle stuck into a stick. The powder horn, whether engraved or plain is certainly a part of our proud heritage. |
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An artists sketch showing an early shop specializing in working in horn. Courtesy of A Diderot Pictorial Encyclopedia of Trades and Industry. |
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