Powder horn for comments.

fernando · 15th July 2013, 07:58 PM

As already introduced in the European Forum, some nice friend bought this one in a local auction to offer it to me

.
Although in principle this would be a Portuguese example, i am a bit intrigued with its unusual overall design and also its carved stylized horse rider, as well as the other decorations.
Noteworthy is also the care taken by the artist to carve various losangles with different decorations; altogether this being a masterpiece at its level.
Has anyone seen something similar to this ?

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Tim Simmons · 15th July 2013, 08:01 PM

Nice!

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 15th July 2013, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

As already introduced in the European Forum, some nice friend bought this one in a local auction to offer it to me

.
Although in principle this would be a Portuguese example, i am a bit intrigued with its unusual overall design and also its carved stylized horse rider, as well as the other decorations.
Noteworthy is also the care taken by the artist to carve various losangles with different decorations; altogether this being a masterpiece at its level.
Has anyone seen something similar to this ?

.

Salaams fernando ~ I happened upon this on the web ~ http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/apiv/hd_apiv.htm

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

fernando · 16th July 2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams fernando ~ I happened upon this on the web ~ http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/apiv/hd_apiv.htm

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

I am aware of that historical chapter, Ibrahiim, but thanks much for the link, anyhow. Some of those pieces are exhibited in the most prestigious museums ... not counting the ones in private collections

Pity my device is not an ivory salt cellar but a horn powder container

colin henshaw · 16th July 2013, 10:11 AM

Looks interesting - reminds me a bit of Ethiopian work, with the Christian imagery...

fernando · 16th July 2013, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Looks interesting - reminds me a bit of Ethiopian work, with the Christian imagery...

Maybe a resemblance, but certainly not of Ethiopian provenance, is it Colin ?

M ELEY · 16th July 2013, 05:23 PM

Wow! Absolutely beautiful! I love the golden patina and attention to detail. Most horns don't have this degree of carving. A spectacular find, Fernando!

fernando · 16th July 2013, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Wow! Absolutely beautiful! I love the golden patina and attention to detail. Most horns don't have this degree of carving. A spectacular find, Fernando!

Thank you, my Captain

... and it cost me nothing; just a friendly gesture

.

manteris1 · 16th July 2013, 11:48 PM

very nice..........................jimmy

colin henshaw · 16th July 2013, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Maybe a resemblance, but certainly not of Ethiopian provenance, is it Colin ?

I can't say for sure whether it is or isn't Ethiopian, but very similar decorative elements as on your powder horn are to be found on other Ethiopian (Amhara) objects like crosses and magic scrolls. Such as - angels with wings, figures/faces with crowns, demons, horsemen and such like.

The zigzag carving is very African.

I don't have much literature on the subject, but will see what I can find and post anything relevant.

Regards.

colin henshaw · 16th July 2013, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

I can't say for sure whether it is or isn't Ethiopian, but very similar decorative elements as on your powder horn are to be found on other Ethiopian (Amhara) objects like crosses and magic scrolls. Such as - angels with wings, figures/faces with crowns, demons, horsemen and such like.

The zigzag carving is very African.

I don't have much literature on the subject, but will see what I can find and post anything relevant.

Regards.

Here are some details from a processional cross and a painting, as illustrated in the book "Aethiopia, Objects d'Ethiopie" published by Musee Royal De L'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgium 1996.

fernando · 16th July 2013, 11:02 PM

Thanks for the pictures, Colin; i see what you mean.
I guess however that this type of powder horns are more of European nature.
A local heavy weight collector assumes that it is certainly not Portuguese as, having several such examples in his collection, this one doesn't fit within.
He opines that its age could be situated between end 18th / beg. 19th century and its provenance might be South Italy ... or Sicily.

Norman McCormick · 25th July 2013, 08:21 PM

15th July 2013, 07:58 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Powder horn for comments. As already introduced in the European Forum, some nice friend bought this one in a local auction to offer it to me . Although in principle this would be a Portuguese example, i am a bit intrigued with its unusual overall design and also its carved stylized horse rider, as well as the other decorations. Noteworthy is also the care taken by the artist to carve various losangles with different decorations; altogether this being a masterpiece at its level. Has anyone seen something similar to this ? . Attached Images Last edited by fernando; 1st March 2017 at 06:39 PM.

15th July 2013, 08:01 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Nice!

16th July 2013, 10:11 AM	#5
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Looks interesting - reminds me a bit of Ethiopian work, with the Christian imagery...

16th July 2013, 05:23 PM	#7
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,101	Wow! Absolutely beautiful! I love the golden patina and attention to detail. Most horns don't have this degree of carving. A spectacular find, Fernando!

16th July 2013, 11:48 PM	#9
manteris1 Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 114	very nice..........................jimmy

16th July 2013, 11:02 PM	#12
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thanks for the pictures, Colin; i see what you mean. I guess however that this type of powder horns are more of European nature. A local heavy weight collector assumes that it is certainly not Portuguese as, having several such examples in his collection, this one doesn't fit within. He opines that its age could be situated between end 18th / beg. 19th century and its provenance might be South Italy ... or Sicily.

25th July 2013, 08:21 PM	#13
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,598