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American powder horn with scrimshawed design
American powder horn with scrimshawed design

American powder horn with scrimshawed design

Date1876
Object number00030471
NameScrimshaw powder horn
MediumHorn, wood, metal
DimensionsOverall: 290 x 75 x 165 mm, 0.2 kg
ClassificationsDecorative and folk art
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionPowder horns were used to carry gun powder for charging muzzle-loading firearms such as flintlock or percussion cap pistols and rifles. This cow horn is decorated in scrimshaw-like fashion with a mix of nautical and non-nautical engravings.HistoryPowder horns were used to carry gun powder for charging muzzle-loading firearms such as flintlock and percussion cap pistols and rifles. Carved powder horns, particularly those of the American Revolutionary War period often carried nationalistic or militaristic engravings. Horns decorated in this manner with only incidental nautical carvings should not be concidered scrimshaw but rather folk art, which is allied to, but different to scrimshaw. That said in common usage the term scrimshaw is loosely applied today.SignificanceThis dated powder horn is decorated with engravings which would link it to a maritime association.