Powder Horn Questions

RobT · 6th October 2016, 03:01 AM

Hi All,

I picked up this powder horn a while back at a flea market. I suspect that it may be from Nepal but this is based on the most flimsy of evidence (I bought a Nepalese hansiya from the same dealer). The dealer also said that he had gotten some old Nepalese manuscripts from the source that supplied the powder horn and the hansiya. The horn doesn't look like it's from the US or Western Europe and doesn't look like any of the African or Middle East ones I have seen either. It doesn't look like cow horn either. Also, does anyone know what the spout plug and the carry strap would look like? The horn measures about 11.25" (28.5cm) from tip to end of spout (measured in a straight line. The incised decoration at the base of the horn is very simple and rather roughly done. The tip of the horn has a diamond and chevron motif at the very end and above that is a double line X with double lines above and below it. The lathe turned, wooden spout is about 2.25" long and is inserted into a wooden plug that closes off the end of the horn. The plug is held in place with two small iron nails. The suspension rings are iron and are held on to the horn by two iron rods that go completely through the horn. On one end, the rods are looped over to hold the suspension rings and, on the other end, they are bent over to hold them onto the horn. The rod at the base of the horn has a small rectangle of iron below the looped suspension ring holder. I would appreciate any information given.

Sincerely,
RobT

Ian · 6th October 2016, 05:30 AM

Hi Rob:

Could be sheep or goat horn, which would fit with an Asian sub-Continent origin (as well as any number of other places).

Ian

BANDOOK · 6th October 2016, 10:23 AM

I HAVE SIMILAR TYPE OF POWDER FLASKS FROM THAILAND,KAREN HILL TRIBE
CHEERS

kahnjar1 · 6th October 2016, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BANDOOK

I HAVE SIMILAR TYPE OF POWDER FLASKS FROM THAILAND,KAREN HILL TRIBE
CHEERS

Can we please see them to compare with the subject horn?

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 ??

6th October 2016, 03:01 AM	#1
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 478	Powder Horn Questions Hi All, I picked up this powder horn a while back at a flea market. I suspect that it may be from Nepal but this is based on the most flimsy of evidence (I bought a Nepalese hansiya from the same dealer). The dealer also said that he had gotten some old Nepalese manuscripts from the source that supplied the powder horn and the hansiya. The horn doesn't look like it's from the US or Western Europe and doesn't look like any of the African or Middle East ones I have seen either. It doesn't look like cow horn either. Also, does anyone know what the spout plug and the carry strap would look like? The horn measures about 11.25" (28.5cm) from tip to end of spout (measured in a straight line. The incised decoration at the base of the horn is very simple and rather roughly done. The tip of the horn has a diamond and chevron motif at the very end and above that is a double line X with double lines above and below it. The lathe turned, wooden spout is about 2.25" long and is inserted into a wooden plug that closes off the end of the horn. The plug is held in place with two small iron nails. The suspension rings are iron and are held on to the horn by two iron rods that go completely through the horn. On one end, the rods are looped over to hold the suspension rings and, on the other end, they are bent over to hold them onto the horn. The rod at the base of the horn has a small rectangle of iron below the looped suspension ring holder. I would appreciate any information given. Sincerely, RobT Attached Images

7th October 2016, 12:17 AM	#5
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 478	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

6th October 2016, 05:30 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,168	Hi Rob: Could be sheep or goat horn, which would fit with an Asian sub-Continent origin (as well as any number of other places). Ian

6th October 2016, 10:23 AM	#3
BANDOOK Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND Posts: 624	I HAVE SIMILAR TYPE OF POWDER FLASKS FROM THAILAND,KAREN HILL TRIBE CHEERS

7th October 2016, 02:12 AM	#6
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,623	Looks like a ram's horn. The decoration on the tip.......possibly South African ??