Regarding orignal Tansel horns, which are among the finest examples of American frontier folk art, the early horns from Kentucky are often signed or initialed. The later Kentucky horns, when sons John and Stark were carving, are less often signed, although I'd still guess perhaps 20% were signed. A few early Tansel horns were dated. There are several very similar horns all dated "1809" and I have horns dated 1806, 1818, and 1821. I've seen/heard of dates of 1819, 1820 and 1822.
The later post-1829 Indiana horns by John and Stark were more commercial and fewer were signed, although more were dated, starting in 1836 and going forward to 1850, the latest date I have seen on two rather small horns.
I believe part of the reasoning behind why more early horns carry names, while fewer later ones do so, was how the Tansels perceived themselves, whether as truly professional carvers, or as a secondary occupation to make extra money. Francis Tansel was a full fledged, professional carver, and therefore took great pride in his work. I think this mind-set led to his signing a good percentage of his early horns. The later horn carvers, I believe, were primarily farmers and did horn work to augment their incomes. Thus the lowered stature of their horn work and fewer signed horns, since they were more commercial pieces rather than the early higher art works.
I think John Tansel best shows this progression. He signed a good number of his Kentucky horns, either by full script name, or fancy initials, but of his later Indiana work, I have seen only one signed horn and it was an early dated IN piece (1832?) not yet of the more "standardized" later Indiana format. He quit signing later horns, probably because he recognized they were no longer the higher art, more individualistic horns he made in KY. Stark signed very few horns. I have one signed KY horn, very well carved, and have seen another early IN horn with his full name in script. One other horn was reported by Jim Dresslar years ago with Stark's initials, but has never surfaced again. Again, the Indiana work became less challenging, and more uniform or consistent in its caved elements, probably by 1834-1835, so the pride of the makers dwindled, and fewer carried their name or initials.
Tim Tansel, the youngest carver, was somewhat a different story. He blossomed later as a horn carver than did his older brothers, based on his earliest dated horns of 1836. He never made the very fine, earlier Kentucky style Tansel horns. Altho he made some very nice, intricate and heavily carved horns early in his career, he always worked in the later Indiana style. He apparently took over as the primary carver in IN, and was proud of his work, and therefore signed or initialed a number of examples, along with dating a good number. But he lacked the experience and/or background of making finer, ealier horns, so never went through the process of lowering his carving standards (until very late in his career). He was apparently proud of most of his Indiana work, and signed and dated pieces from time to time throughout his career.
In summary, those Tansels who felt they were true horners took more pride in their work and apparently signed more examples, while horns made later as a secondary occupation didn't seem to get signed as much.
I follow in Randy's thoughts that modern horns should be signed conspicuously, particularly if they are accurate copies of historic work. It will prevent future "problems" with questionable horns sliding into the realm of "possibly" original horns. More importantly, since most good quality contemporary horns have become collectable in their own right, such as through the efforts of the CLA, the pride of the carver should dictate clearly signed work to promote his abilities and growing reputation. However, that said, I've seen a number of fine modern horns, accurate examples of early horns, with tiny names and/or dates that will be easily removed by subsequent owners if they so desire. And these were by some of today's finest makers. If you are making and selling against specific customer orders, sometimes you have to do it as the customer demands.... if you want a pay check. Shelby Gallien
