Author Topic: Salt horns  (Read 3481 times)

Offline skillman

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Salt horns
« on: February 11, 2018, 07:31:47 PM »
I have been kind of following this topic here and  not wanting to hijack a thread, decided to start one. Check on page 121 and 122 of Madison Grant's book Powder Horns and their Architecture and you'll find a separate section on salt horns.  Most of the originals I have seen attributed to being salt horns follow the style shown in Madison's book. I have seen other styles and I think any vessel that would do the job was probably used at one time or another. Remember that salt is a necessity! Not just a luxury. Also remember that salt bowls or "cellars" were a very common table item before the advent of the shaker. Usually even had a tiny spoon with them.
I made a salt horn in the style shown in Mr. Grant's book for a friend who does Lewis and Clark demos at Fort Clatsop in his spare time. He has it in his "kit" and has for a number of years. This is on the Pacific Coast. It rains a lot. He reports that his salt has never shown signs of getting moist or "chunky".
I make a lot of little containers for my friends in a number of styles. All are quite airtight and work well for spices of all kinds. I think maybe we need to remember that these were clever, inventive people who used what they had to their best advantage.

Steve
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Offline iloco

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2018, 08:02:09 PM »
I would like to see some pictures of your salt horns if you have any.  I am looking for a salt horn but havent seen what I think I would like to have.
iloco

Offline skillman

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2018, 08:34:19 PM »
Here are a few for you iloco.


























Steve
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Black Hand

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2018, 08:38:15 PM »

Offline skillman

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2018, 08:42:10 PM »
Very nice!! I like these.

Steve
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Offline iloco

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2018, 08:59:35 PM »
skillmanI like all the pictures of the horns you have made.
I especially like number 10 down the thread

Black Hand I like yours also.  The engraved one I like a lot.
iloco

Offline jdm

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2018, 09:01:40 PM »
Here are some I've had for a number of years. They are next to a cork screw to give you an idea of size.





JIM

Offline skillman

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2018, 10:12:16 PM »
jdm. These remind me of original snuff horns. Very nice little horns and would be easy to carry and store in one's kit.

Steve
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Offline jdm

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2018, 10:25:04 PM »

jdm. These remind me of original snuff horns. Very nice little horns and would be easy to carry and store in one's kit.

Sorry I guess I should have mentioned  these are antique horns or at least I bought them as such.  I've always called them salt horns although I never thought they would hold much. I suppose  a better term would be personal containers for carrying snuff, tobacco or what ever.
JIM

Black Hand

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2018, 10:28:11 PM »
They might also be needle cases...

Pare Bowlegs

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #10 on: February 11, 2018, 10:30:49 PM »
Reminds me of this one from the late 18th-early 19th c.



Pare-

Black Hand

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #11 on: February 11, 2018, 10:42:05 PM »
Another option is a length of cane. I have several cane containers I use for tooth powder, maple sugar and red pepper flake.

Offline skillman

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #12 on: February 11, 2018, 10:58:21 PM »
I really like the cane idea. I don't have it around here but I have a plethora of Bamboo. It's a pest and requires constant thinning back. Finally a use for it! :o

Steve
Steve Skillman

Black Hand

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #13 on: February 11, 2018, 11:03:47 PM »

Offline iloco

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #14 on: February 11, 2018, 11:06:22 PM »
Great idea on the cane. I have several stalks I cut a couple years ago. I should have some cork that will fit the open ends.
 Thanks for that info Black Hand.
iloco

Black Hand

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #15 on: February 11, 2018, 11:09:26 PM »
The container on the left has a wood base insert held in place with pins and covered with decorative ropework (reduces the chance of splitting).

Offline skillman

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #16 on: February 12, 2018, 12:35:30 AM »
Good ideas and well executed Black Hand.

Steve
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Offline Greg Pennell

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #17 on: February 12, 2018, 05:05:16 AM »
Lots of good ideas in this thread...thanks for sharing guys!

Greg
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Offline Pukka Bundook

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #18 on: February 12, 2018, 05:34:34 PM »
Skillman,

Very nice horns !  Grand work.

My salt -horn is like your 3rd photo down, but curved side to the bottom, with a flat on it for standing.

I do like your variety!
Best,

R.

Offline iloco

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Re: Salt horns
« Reply #19 on: February 12, 2018, 11:18:14 PM »
Made a little container out of River Cane today.  Should work ok for carrying salt. 

iloco