Unusual Powder Horn in the Massachusetts Historical Society Collection

[Seth Isaacson]

Any thoughts on this one? I stumbled on it today and found it rather perplexing. Is it actually a powder horn or is it something else?

A small and ornately decorated powder horn, about which little is known.

This small horn has a rounded wood plug base, a double-necked spouts carved in wood, and is inset into horn with brass tacks. Black scrimshaw decorations with "GW" in crest above the Arms of England with motto, "HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE" are visible on the front and a gryphon with a dove above it appears on the back. On the left side is a cod fish and musket and on the right side is an Indian brandishing a bow and arrow. The carved double neck has two pouring spouts, joined by a wooden bridge and what appear to be the original stoppers. The right spout has a "P" carved into it on the reverse side.

[Stoner creek]

ATTENTION TIM CROSBY!!!!!!

[mtlonghunter]

How big..? Salt and "P"eper.? Divided inside?

[Seth Isaacson]

Ox horn, black stain, wood, [17--]

15.9 cm x 10.1 cm x 5 cm

Powder Horns 007

https://www.masshist.org/database/3517?ft=Revolutionary-Era%20Art%20and%20Artifacts&from=/features/revolutionary-era/artifacts&noalt=1&pid=38

So about 6 1/2 x 4 x 2 inches. Rather small. I was wondering it wasn't a salt horn with a divided compartment for pepper or something else on one side.

[Shreckmeister]

I’d like to handle that one.

[Tim Crosby]

 Reminds me of a two headed turtle 

  "HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE"

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honi_soit_qui_mal_y_pense

 I think you are right about the Salt & Pepper idea, the one spout does have a "P" on it. When the Pic comes up put your cursor over it and scroll to enlarge it you'll see the "P". Don't see an "S" but if you see the "P" you don't need one.

  https://www.masshist.org/database/viewer.php?item_id=3517&mode=large&img_step=2&pid=38&noalt=1#page2

 Neat carving, note the "$#*! Horse""

  Tim C.

[Seth Isaacson]

I hadn't noticed the "P" despite it being mentioned in the description. Good catch.

[Rajin cajun]

Very neat horn..! Quiet unusual and nicely designed and carved.
Thanks ....!

Bob

[Tecumseh]

I agree with the earlier assessment that it is potentially a salt n pepper horn. Pic that Tim provided clearly show a P scratched in and the original pic at top of post appears to have an S scratched in the wood stopper.

[83nubnEC]

is it at all possible that the "S" and "P" markings on the spouts could also stand for powder and shot for a pocket flask?

[John Proud]

Just ran on this thread today, so a late post here.

Without examining the horn in hand, I am almost certain that the engraving was done by Richard Cresey (1737?-1809) as it has all of his "key features" in both the British Coat of Arms and the $#*! Horse. (The Honourable Company of Horners, The Monograph Series, Volume 1, The French & Indian and Revolutionary Wars Engraving Of Richard Cresey 'The Hellhorse Powder Horn Engraver'.) 

Interesting piece. If it indeed has a divider, I would concur that it a "salt and pepper horn" or spice horn.

It is on my bucket list to get to Boston to see and handle it in person.

John