Old African?? powder horn??

Andy Stevens · 2nd November 2009, 04:09 PM

Hello all, had this hanging around for a while, never really liked it to any degree, but have always been curious as to its origins. It's made of horn-rhino? and is 33cm long from the tip of the carving to the tail.The lid section was originally held in place with two wooden dowels, which have long since gone. i'm not sure what the carving represents, but looks kind of like a cross between an antelope and a human. Thanks in advance for any info.

Rick · 2nd November 2009, 05:20 PM

The carving looks Batak to me .

Can you assemble it and give us a picture ?

Sajen · 2nd November 2009, 07:38 PM

A second vote for Batak origin!

asomotif · 2nd November 2009, 08:41 PM

One more vote for batak.

Freddy · 2nd November 2009, 09:17 PM

I agree : Batak. I think it's some kind of medicine horn. The sorcerer/medicine man in Batak country is called a 'datu'.

Your piece seems to be quite old.

Andy Stevens · 4th November 2009, 11:52 AM

Thankyou very much for the information! It's strange how an old lurker can turn out to be such an interesting object, I have now begun to read on the Batak people and culture and to my mind, this is one of the great joys of collecting ethnographic objects. To my untrained eye, the horn does look old and appears very functional as opposed to some of the more decorative items on the internet.
Regards Andy

2nd November 2009, 04:09 PM	#1
Andy Stevens Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 155	Old African?? powder horn?? Hello all, had this hanging around for a while, never really liked it to any degree, but have always been curious as to its origins. It's made of horn-rhino? and is 33cm long from the tip of the carving to the tail.The lid section was originally held in place with two wooden dowels, which have long since gone. i'm not sure what the carving represents, but looks kind of like a cross between an antelope and a human. Thanks in advance for any info. Attached Images

4th November 2009, 11:52 AM	#6
Andy Stevens Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 155	Thankyou very much for the information! It's strange how an old lurker can turn out to be such an interesting object, I have now begun to read on the Batak people and culture and to my mind, this is one of the great joys of collecting ethnographic objects. To my untrained eye, the horn does look old and appears very functional as opposed to some of the more decorative items on the internet. Regards Andy Attached Images

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2nd November 2009, 05:20 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	The carving looks Batak to me . Can you assemble it and give us a picture ?

2nd November 2009, 07:38 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,416	A second vote for Batak origin!

2nd November 2009, 08:41 PM	#4
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,237	One more vote for batak.

2nd November 2009, 09:17 PM	#5
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I agree : Batak. I think it's some kind of medicine horn. The sorcerer/medicine man in Batak country is called a 'datu'. Your piece seems to be quite old.