Half Of A Nude Woman On A Table (Powder Horn)

[Fullstock longrifle]

Another horn from my collection. I don’t have a clue what the meaning of the half woman on a table is supposed to be, any ideas?

















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[Eric Kettenburg]

Alcohol.

Really cool horn!

[Fullstock longrifle]

Alcohol.

Really cool horn!

Lol!! Thanks!

[rich pierce]

Great horn!

[Majorjoel]

That bird sure looks like a turkey to me.  With the stars overhead and the bird sprawled out like our national eagle......I can only speculate about Ben Franklin's choice of a turkey. Great horn Frank!

The half woman on the table may be from a long hunters dream. The ugly nag was served for Thanksgiving dinner and the turkey was put on a pedestal!   

[Daniel Coats]

I like the part where he's killing snakes with a garden rake

[T*O*F]

Freudian slip.  She's probably just half the woman that dear ole Mom was.

[Eric Kettenburg]

My guess would be that the scriber at some point in his life saw a female bust (sculpture) that in some way moved him, or was important to or otherwise memorable to him, and he was recording that mental imprint albeit in a primitive manner.  Only explanation that makes sense to me.

Other than alcohol, of course...

[Fullstock longrifle]

I like the part where he's killing snakes with a garden rake

I just noticed that, wonder if it’s a reference to the British?

[WadePatton]

Granny used a hoe on snakes.

Methinks the bust and the table represent home and family, family to be maybe-but she doesn't look happy and...

Great folksy work!

[Tim Crosby]

 In the 6th Pic down it looks like initials, "T" on the right and maybe a "C" on the left. Are there 13 stars?  Neat horn for sure.

  Tim C.

[rich pierce]

Looking closely at the two human figures they look quite similar. Also interesting that the person seated at the table appears to be wearing a collar, deliberately scratched in.

[Fullstock longrifle]

In the 6th Pic down it looks like initials, "T" on the right and maybe a "C" on the left. Are there 13 stars?  Neat horn for sure.

  Tim C.

The initials are G T and yes, there are 13 stars Tim. What time period would you put this horn?

[Fullstock longrifle]

That bird sure looks like a turkey to me.  With the stars overhead and the bird sprawled out like our national eagle......I can only speculate about Ben Franklin's choice of a turkey. Great horn Frank!

The half woman on the table may be from a long hunters dream. The ugly nag was served for Thanksgiving dinner and the turkey was put on a pedestal!   

That wouldn’t be a dream, that would be a nightmare…  😁

[Otto]

Not a clue. Interesting to see that the face in image one (assumed woman) is identical
 to the other individual in image with gun. hard to figure someone else's doodles.

[Tim Crosby]

In the 6th Pic down it looks like initials, "T" on the right and maybe a "C" on the left. Are there 13 stars?  Neat horn for sure.

  Tim C.

The initials are G T and yes, there are 13 stars Tim. What time period would you put this horn?

 The horn itself looks to be well make, the tip has a nice shape to it and the step in the horn is well done. I'll take  a guess and say the horn was made earlier c1750's and carved sometime later. Since the eagle was adopted post 1776 and the eagle with 13 stars above it are seen on the Great Seal of The United States that  came into use in the early 1780's I would guess it was carved sometime in that time frame or later. Primitive/folksy, by an owner. Just an idea...

  Tim

[Tanselman]

I think we may be unfairly miss-labeling an earlier, thinner American eagle as a turkey. From my experience with these old horns, based on its beak, tail, etc., it's simply an early American eagle, before they were beefed up to look tougher. As to the "lady behind a table," she doesn't appear nude to me, rather has a high-necked blouse... but the carver simply added "zeros" to identify her gender from his similar male figure... probably "borrowed" from some early eastern horns with mermaids.

Shelby Gallien

[Bob McBride]

Momma at the table and daddy out hunting maybe? Cool horn.

Obviously my theory doesn’t take into account the interesting patchwork on the front of her dress…. Maybe the second owner elaborated..

[Austin]

Maybe she got cold while at a podium giving a speech???

[jdm]

Frank, That horn sure has a lot going on. I like it. I think Shelby is on to something. The lady is sitting behind the table, The maker was hampered by a lack of skill to better convey the message. I have seen this on a number of 18th/19th century powder horns.  I have also been afflicted with this lack of ability from time to time myself.  Jim

[Fullstock longrifle]

I think we may be unfairly miss-labeling an earlier, thinner American eagle as a turkey. From my experience with these old horns, based on its beak, tail, etc., it's simply an early American eagle, before they were beefed up to look tougher. As to the "lady behind a table," she doesn't appear nude to me, rather has a high-necked blouse... but the carver simply added "zeros" to identify her gender from his similar male figure... probably "borrowed" from some early eastern horns with mermaids.

Shelby Gallien

I think you’re right Shelby, about the eagle and the woman.

[Fullstock longrifle]

Maybe she got cold while at a podium giving a speech???

😂😂😂😂

[Pete G.]

Figurehead???