Powder horn for comments.

Tim Simmons · 17th July 2013, 09:44 AM

This could be European "folk art". I agree there is much to suggest an African origin. However I am very unsure that this has been carved in Africa. I do not see West African interpretations of European dress and facial features. As for Ethiopia, yes painted Icons often portray pale skin and some European like faces. Again I find the central figure, side of the face to the viewer, very unusual for Ethiopian work plus the very European face and clothes. The central figures clothes suggest European peasant costume to me. I can find examples of peasant "folk art" depictions of figures with weapons, hunting and military. The martial figures are clearly in uniform. The fact that the figure on the horn appears in peasant costume would suggest a folk hero story of some kind to me?
The figure is very easily recognised as a handsome young man dashing off with his sword to do battle. The scene does not have any overtly deep religious theme except perhaps the young man is to take battle to the forces of evil in general. I think it odd that is it were the depiction of a European warrior in Africa, the figure is not in uniform? I think a wider search is needed.

17th July 2013, 09:44 AM	#11
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,871	This could be European "folk art". I agree there is much to suggest an African origin. However I am very unsure that this has been carved in Africa. I do not see West African interpretations of European dress and facial features. As for Ethiopia, yes painted Icons often portray pale skin and some European like faces. Again I find the central figure, side of the face to the viewer, very unusual for Ethiopian work plus the very European face and clothes. The central figures clothes suggest European peasant costume to me. I can find examples of peasant "folk art" depictions of figures with weapons, hunting and military. The martial figures are clearly in uniform. The fact that the figure on the horn appears in peasant costume would suggest a folk hero story of some kind to me? The figure is very easily recognised as a handsome young man dashing off with his sword to do battle. The scene does not have any overtly deep religious theme except perhaps the young man is to take battle to the forces of evil in general. I think it odd that is it were the depiction of a European warrior in Africa, the figure is not in uniform? I think a wider search is needed.