Carved Seal Primer Horn

[smorrison]

Here's a few pictures of a small primer horn and powder measure I recently completed.  The horn is done in a Northwest Native American style and carved to represent a seal.  The antler measure is an orca and will hold up to 100 grains.

Scott

[Mitch]

Very Nice Work....

[LRB]

  I know little about Northwestern NA's, but that is very excellent workmanship!

[Michigander]

Beautiful design and workmanship. I have never seen anything like this. Nice work!
Michigander

[Tim Crosby]

 WOW! Those are Great!

 Tim C.

[G. Elsenbeck]

Great job Scott.
Gary

[mr. no gold]

You have nailed it, Scott! Your work compares very favorably with an original NW horn in my collection. You have done an admirable job on the relief carving that is pretty typical of horns from that region. The measure is equally well done and is a great match for the horn.
A recent west coast auction had a half stock percussion fowling gun that had NW carving on the stock with haliotos inlays, but don't know what it went for. I toyed with bidding on it but 'caveat emptor' is the rule on those things. Thank you for showing to us.
Again, fine job!
Dick 

[smorrison]

Thanks all!  I'm getting more and more interested in the native American artwork from the west coast and may be incorporating this into my horn work.

Scott

[elk killer]

Scott,
thats just way cool..!!
its really nice to see something different..
very nice work

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Very cleverly and well done.  I remember seeing similar stuff in the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa. 

[smorrison]

Thanks Taylor.  I looked up the Museum of Civilization and browsed through their web page.  Looks like a very nice museum.  I had the opportunity once to visit the Royal BC Museum in Victoria and was very impressed with the museum, especially their First Peoples exhibits.

Scott

[Jefferson58]

Wow Scott, those are absolutely fabulous! I really know nothing about the pieces from that area, but these are incredible. The relief carving is beautiful.

Your unique style and creative abilities continue to amaze.

Thanks much for sharing these.

Jeff

[smorrison]

Hey thanks Jeff!  I'm still learning about the artwork of the NW natives.  There is a lot of meaning in the designs and with the animals that they incorporated.  The seal for instance is bright, organized, graceful and inquisitive. They have strong survival skills and teaches one to conquer fears.  I thought that would be appropriate for a primer.  One aspect of the native art that I have not yet worked into my horns, is that you would find other animals, or people hidden within the main animal.  A raven say, might have a salmon hidden within one wing.  Or a salmon might have a person in a fin.  There's a lot to learn...

Scott

[black ed]

Scott,
If you don't mind telling, What did you use for the color of the horn. I like the red coral color.
Black Ed

[smylee grouch]

Great work, region inspired and fitting. Real cool too. Do some more and show us.   Gary

[smorrison]

Black Ed,
The horn was first dyed in scarlett RIT fabric dye.  I then applied a dark walnut oil based stain and sprinkled black powdered tempura paint to fill the depressions.  I then selectively wiped the stain off till I got the look I wanted.

Scott

[smorrison]

Gary, I'm working on another similar horn.  I'll post pics when I get it done.

Scott

[black ed]

Thanks for the info Scott.
Was the base horn a white/off white and did you just keep staining the horn until you achieved the "red" you wanted?
Black Ed

[smorrison]

The piece of the horn I used did not have any white material on it.  It was a greenish/brown color.  I left it in the hot RIT dye for about 45 minutes or so.  That's all it took.

Scott