Interesting horn on E-Bay

[chuck]

It can be found on e-bay under  -   Antique powder horns

[rich pierce]

Which of the 50 or so?

[debnal]

The Tansel horn.
Al

[Rajin cajun]

That is going to be a bloodbath ...!

Bob

[Robert Wolfe]

How about a link?

[debnal]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/384740698514?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l26

Al

[T.C.Albert]

Oh my.

[Tecumseh]

Nice Tansel, the bidding will be furious with 6 days to go.

[T.C.Albert]

Sold for $8250.00

[Dennis Daigger]

I don't ask this derisively but simply wonder. What makes this an $8,000 flask?

[Rajin cajun]

I don't ask this derisively but simply wonder. What makes this an $8,000 flask?

That family of horn makers are really popular and highly collected. A lot of Tansel horns have brought considerably more money that that. I thought this horn would have brought more than what it did . I bet the person who purchased it was prepared to go higher...! IMHO.

Bob

[wpalongrifle]

Don’t think the owner knew what they had!! Nice unknown horns do come up still today. 
Tansel horns are very collectible 

[Tanselman]

I was surprised at what this horn ended up at. The earlier KY era horns bring good prices, as do Indiana horns with something new or special on them to excite potential buyers, but when an Indiana horn has standard Tansel carving on it, it usually doesn't go this high. This horn had a date and owner's name which is a plus, but it also had a period replaced butt plug and lacked the carver's name/initials, so while a good horn, it didn't seem [to me at least] to be a "special" horn that would attract big dollars. Hard to know how other collectors view these objects at times, but at least a couple of collectors really wanted this one. 

Shelby Gallien

[aaronc]

I love Tansels and the story behind them. It may happen every now and then but I'm surprised it ended up on ebay.

[Rajin cajun]

I love Tansels and the story behind them. It may happen every now and then but I'm surprised it ended up on ebay.

I agree..!  I think it would have done better at an auction with other fine Kys and horns..🤷‍♂️

Bob

[Dphariss]

I hope it’s real.

[Tanselman]

It is.

Shellby Gallien

[Dphariss]

It is.

Shellby Gallien

How do you know? From an ad on eBay?
Just curious.
I have over my life known some very skilled fakers. Of various items and since horns have been being reproduced for MUSEUMS for at least 100 years   I believe an old letter was found in a museums files to this effect and the details were posted on this or another ML forum a few years back.  So forgive me if I have doubts. To paraphrase what a friend more experienced that I said in a conversation a could of years back “I would not buy a horn for a high price today”.

[jdm]

It is.

Shellby Gallien

How do you know? From an ad on eBay?
Just curious.
I have over my life known some very skilled fakers. Of various items and since horns have been being reproduced for MUSEUMS for at least 100 years   I believe an old letter was found in a museums files to this effect and the details were posted on this or another ML forum a few years back.  So forgive me if I have doubts. To paraphrase what a friend more experienced that I said in a conversation a could of years back “I would not buy a horn for a high price today”.

Dphariss , Just to give you a little history on  Shellby. He is one of the foremost authority's on Tansel powder horns. Has owned a number of them and has studied most of the known horns that are in collections today.  I can't answer what all the  criteria is he uses  but I would trust my money on his opinion.
Having said all that. I've been collecting and buying horns for over thirty years. I will still ask other trusted friends what they think if I'm a little concerned about parting with a large sum of money on one.

[Rajin cajun]

I agree with Jim on the opinion of Shelby when it comes to Tansel horns. He is one of 3 people I would get advice from on a Tansel. The other two would be a friend in Illinois and one in Indiana. Both are old collectors of Tansel horns. All  three of these gentlemen’s opinion are highly respected.

Bob

[mr. no gold]

To these observations, I would also add rifles and pistols. Shelby has vast expertise based on being a long time collector, observer, and student of American rifles. His comments are never vacuous, or frivolous; always to the point and well reasoned.
Dick

[BradBrownBess]

Interesting all the way around. The seller has 99% mid century modern art and a lot of just "junk". I see a couple of items that might fit the mold of someone who would have an old powder horn - an over priced E. Curts Photo for instance. Seems only 3 bidders were in to win - really 2. Very few bidders overall. Those 2 bidders were quite sure of its authenticity as it's obvious the seller probably does not know enough detail to provide info other than more photos - and usually when you ask via message they take the photos and post to the auction giving any competitors the same info.

Wonderful that it caught a knowledgeable person's eye and brought good money. I don't know Tansel horns (I did buy a gorgeous modern tribute Tansel horn) but in looking at the photos my gut tells me that is a nice piece and authentic. Not really my cup of tea and there is just no way I could talk myself into putting 8k on a powderhorn from Ebay. Thats knowledge and guts!!

[AZshot]

In the supply and demand equation, weigh demand more heavily. 

That sold for more than all my Southern mountain rifles, combined!  I have one that there are only 4 known by the maker.  Very rare, but not much demand. 

[Ezra]

People can certainly spend their money as they wish, but for me, in the end, it’s just a horn, albeit old.  No derision meant or implied, maybe I’m just too much of a hick to appreciate art and it’s relation to history. 

Ez