Horn and Flag debate

[Canute Rex]

There is an interesting article about a powder horn in, of all places, the Wall Street Journal. An amateur historian thinks he has found an image of an American flag with stars on it prior to the 1777 flag. Others say no. The source is a powder horn dated 1776. The article has a hi-def photo of the horn itself, with a motto and a cityscape carved on it. The flag in question is off to the left by the strap holes, apparently flying on a small island. Enjoy:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304211804577501441816539490.html?mod=WSJ_hp_editorsPicks_3

I think that the horn carver was just making pretty patterns rather than trying to exactly reproduce something he had seen.

[Bill-52]

I read that WSJ article this morning with great interest. Whether or not the flag in question has "stars" or simply decorations is open to debate. Certainly deserves more research.

[BrownBear]

Of course, we're taking the horner's word that it was actually engraved in 1776 and is not a later commemorative.  Heck, we're still putting 1776 on stuff 235 years later.

[Black Hand]

Not much wear for a horn that is 200+ years old.  Makes me wonder....

[BrownBear]

Not much wear for a horn that is 200+ years old.  Makes me wonder....

Yeah. I need ironclad provenance on this one, right down to the verifiable date and name of the maker.  Without that I'm not giving it a second look, and less thought than that.

[T.C.Albert]

Im with the "carving looks pretty new" crowd. Looks like an old horn, but the carving looks questionable to me. Curious how some of the words are mispelled, as if for effect...dont know for sure, but thats my take on the piece.
tc

[flintriflesmith]

Not just the carving looks new. Super sharp corners on the turnings, spout, etc.

Gary

[JoeG]

There are two other flags on the horn that have a similar X and stars designs
the one in the middle even looks to be upside down

[Canute Rex]

Also take note of the shapes of the buildings in the design. The artist was not striving for realism, whatever the actual date of manufacture.

Whether it is truly from 1776 or not, I like the piece. The cityscape is kind of wacky and playful. I haven't seen that kind of approach before.

The guy did forget to use spell check, though. "Leet"? I suppose if  people can misspell "lose" as "loose" today, why not.

[Pete G.]

It's a @!*% poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word.
- Jackson, Andrew.

Notice how the flags go one way and the weather vane the other ? I notice that quite often on representaions of ships also.