Author Topic: Stark Tansel Powder Horn, Kentucky ca. 1825  (Read 1508 times)

Offline Tanselman

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Stark Tansel Powder Horn, Kentucky ca. 1825
« on: June 20, 2023, 04:44:52 AM »
Since we haven't had any great horns posted in a while, here's a Stark Tansel horn carved about 1825 in Kentucky. It's my most recent find. Note the front "U" shaped fish-mouth. Stark liked to be a "little different" at times, probably to separate himself from his older brother John whose work was more polished at this date. It's got a number of Stark features, despite not being signed or dated... but the eagle and fish-mouth pretty much sign and date the horn.

Shelby Gallien


« Last Edit: June 27, 2023, 07:20:22 PM by Tanselman »

Offline Tim Crosby

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Re: Stark Tansel Powder Horn, Kentucky ca. 1825
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2023, 02:38:29 PM »
 What a Great horn. Is that a repair of some sort on the tip? How about a head on shot of the plug.

   Tim

Offline Cory Joe Stewart

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Re: Stark Tansel Powder Horn, Kentucky ca. 1825
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2023, 05:15:26 PM »
That is a cool one!

Cory Joe

Offline Tanselman

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Re: Stark Tansel Powder Horn, Kentucky ca. 1825
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2023, 10:05:15 PM »
Tim,

The horn has had a few "bumps" along the way. The spout has a couple cracks, but fortunately the owner taped it tight, rather than cut off the damaged outer end. Same for the horn's base. It must have been dropped once or twice, since it has two cracked areas, both pinned in place many years ago and the cracks later propagated to break off small pieces... but fortunately the earlier added small pins retained the two small pieces. When found, the horn had the same "antique" black tape around the base, covering the cracked area, but that tape was removed to expose the basal carving underneath. Despite minor damage, the horn is complete with no surface losses, and only minimal bag wear on back near the fishmouth "V" that didn't touch any major carving. This is a great example of a developing Stark Tansel horn, very well cut, but his artistic ability to depict certain figures was not yet mastered.

Afterthought - I think this horn was still being used up until about 1900 in North Carolina, based on the tape used to stop leaks and keep the horn functional. The tape sure wasn't added to beautify the horn!

I am attaching a picture of the butt, which has an original, heavily rusted, forged staple.


Shelby Gallien


« Last Edit: June 21, 2023, 07:19:58 PM by Tanselman »

Offline Tim Crosby

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Re: Stark Tansel Powder Horn, Kentucky ca. 1825
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2023, 11:08:41 PM »
 Wow Yea, That is a Great horn. Thanks for the info and extra Pic.

     Tim

Offline mr. no gold

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Re: Stark Tansel Powder Horn, Kentucky ca. 1825
« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2023, 04:03:05 AM »
Good one Shelby! Thank you for showing it here. Really fine.
Dick

Offline Dutch Blacky

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Re: Stark Tansel Powder Horn, Kentucky ca. 1825
« Reply #6 on: June 29, 2023, 05:24:10 PM »
GRATULIERE HORN!

Thank you for showing