Powder horn for comments.

Jim McDougall · 17th July 2013, 07:14 AM

Ibrahiim, very astute comparison!!! which definitely led to African potential for this, and certainly Portuguese firearms were well known on Africas West Coast.
I think Colin hit it spot on, and well supported. The stance and character of that rider and the sword held seems quite comparable to Ethiopian iconography. The winged 'cherub' type figures were quite popular in 18th century Europe, and somewhat earlier in many cases, particularly in England. Also note the 'man in the moon' figure, often seen of course on sword blades from Solingen, well known in African regions in the trade commodities from the Red Sea routes.
It would not seem unlikely for an item like this to be fashioned in a diplomatic 'gift' or trade sense.

As far as provenance, it seems of course likely that these kinds of items could find thier way to many countries given those sort of circumstances. As for the demeanor of the horn, it seems compellingly African with European features and most like Ethiopian styling in those, as suggested by Colin.

The Italian suggestion may of course play in with Italy's colonial presence in then Abyssinia, so certainly plausible.

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17th July 2013, 07:14 AM	#10
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,196	Ibrahiim, very astute comparison!!! which definitely led to African potential for this, and certainly Portuguese firearms were well known on Africas West Coast. I think Colin hit it spot on, and well supported. The stance and character of that rider and the sword held seems quite comparable to Ethiopian iconography. The winged 'cherub' type figures were quite popular in 18th century Europe, and somewhat earlier in many cases, particularly in England. Also note the 'man in the moon' figure, often seen of course on sword blades from Solingen, well known in African regions in the trade commodities from the Red Sea routes. It would not seem unlikely for an item like this to be fashioned in a diplomatic 'gift' or trade sense. As far as provenance, it seems of course likely that these kinds of items could find thier way to many countries given those sort of circumstances. As for the demeanor of the horn, it seems compellingly African with European features and most like Ethiopian styling in those, as suggested by Colin. The Italian suggestion may of course play in with Italy's colonial presence in then Abyssinia, so certainly plausible.