Powder Horn Questions

RobT · 7th October 2016, 12:17 AM

Hi All & Thanks for the Responses,

Ian, at least I'm somewhat in the ball park. Maybe one of the taxonomist members of the forum could ID the type of sheep or goat.
Bandook, a Karen origin certainly seems plausible. I'll be searching the net to see if I can come up with anything. I am especially interested in what the spout plug & sling look like.
Khanjar, thanks for your suggestion to Bandook. Pictures of his items plus any ethnographic photos that might be available will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
RobT

rickystl · 7th October 2016, 02:12 AM

Looks like a ram's horn. The decoration on the tip.......possibly South African ??

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 7th October 2016, 09:45 PM

Looks like water-buffalo...with leather over.

RobT · 8th October 2016, 02:04 AM

Hi All,

rickystl, ram's horn it may be but all the African powder horns I have seen (admittedly not many) seem to have the same type of openings as those from the USA (fill plug at the base of the horn with the horn tip cut off and capped as the pour spout). On my horn, the tip has been decorated but not cut off so the spout at the base of the horn serves for both filling and pouring.
Ibrahim al Balooshi, my horn has no leather covering. It is a dark brown to russet colored horn worn smooth by many years of use. The tactile feel is very much akin to the feel of an old iwisa.

Sincerely,
RobT

rickystl · 8th October 2016, 03:49 PM

Hi RobT.

I believe Ibrahiim is right on this being water buffalo horn. So it would seem the horn originated from somewhere the animal resides. Which does not narrow down the origin much LOL

The carving on the tip of the horn looks some what familiar. But I just can't place it. Seems like I've seen this style of carving on wood knife scabbards (?). Maybe another Forum member will reconize the carving style which may offer a better origin possibility.
It is a really neat looking horn I would not mind having in my collection. Great find, especially from a flea market. Maybe from the Philipines or Southeast Asia ?

As you mention, using the base of the horn for both fill and charging is less commonly seen, as on this example. However, the design goes back to the earliest periods. Below are a couple of pics of a European style horn utilizing the base of the horn for both functions. This is a contemporary made horn (sorry Moderator) copied from various original wood carvings of the Swiss/Landsknechts for a re-enactor. But it does illustrate the use of using the base of the horn only for both purposes.

Again, very nice and interesting horn you have. Hope another Forum member can better narrow down it's origin.

Rick

RobT · 22nd October 2016, 04:28 PM

Hi All,
Thanks for all your input. I'll keep looking.
Sincerely,
RobT

Blacksmith · 22nd October 2016, 08:36 PM

Water Buffalo horn, no doubt. And yes, nepalese. Theres almost similar one at the national Museum in Kathmandu.

7th October 2016, 12:17 AM	#1
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 536	Thanks Hi All & Thanks for the Responses, Ian, at least I'm somewhat in the ball park. Maybe one of the taxonomist members of the forum could ID the type of sheep or goat. Bandook, a Karen origin certainly seems plausible. I'll be searching the net to see if I can come up with anything. I am especially interested in what the spout plug & sling look like. Khanjar, thanks for your suggestion to Bandook. Pictures of his items plus any ethnographic photos that might be available will be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, RobT

7th October 2016, 09:45 PM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Looks like water-buffalo...with leather over. Attached Images

8th October 2016, 02:04 AM	#4
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 536	Thanks for More Responses Hi All, rickystl, ram's horn it may be but all the African powder horns I have seen (admittedly not many) seem to have the same type of openings as those from the USA (fill plug at the base of the horn with the horn tip cut off and capped as the pour spout). On my horn, the tip has been decorated but not cut off so the spout at the base of the horn serves for both filling and pouring. Ibrahim al Balooshi, my horn has no leather covering. It is a dark brown to russet colored horn worn smooth by many years of use. The tactile feel is very much akin to the feel of an old iwisa. Sincerely, RobT

8th October 2016, 03:49 PM	#5
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,630	Hi RobT. I believe Ibrahiim is right on this being water buffalo horn. So it would seem the horn originated from somewhere the animal resides. Which does not narrow down the origin much LOL The carving on the tip of the horn looks some what familiar. But I just can't place it. Seems like I've seen this style of carving on wood knife scabbards (?). Maybe another Forum member will reconize the carving style which may offer a better origin possibility. It is a really neat looking horn I would not mind having in my collection. Great find, especially from a flea market. Maybe from the Philipines or Southeast Asia ? As you mention, using the base of the horn for both fill and charging is less commonly seen, as on this example. However, the design goes back to the earliest periods. Below are a couple of pics of a European style horn utilizing the base of the horn for both functions. This is a contemporary made horn (sorry Moderator) copied from various original wood carvings of the Swiss/Landsknechts for a re-enactor. But it does illustrate the use of using the base of the horn only for both purposes. Again, very nice and interesting horn you have. Hope another Forum member can better narrow down it's origin. Rick Attached Images

22nd October 2016, 04:28 PM	#6
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 536	Thanks For the Input Hi All, Thanks for all your input. I'll keep looking. Sincerely, RobT

7th October 2016, 02:12 AM	#2
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,630	Looks like a ram's horn. The decoration on the tip.......possibly South African ??

22nd October 2016, 08:36 PM	#7
Blacksmith Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 98	Water Buffalo horn, no doubt. And yes, nepalese. Theres almost similar one at the national Museum in Kathmandu.