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Powder Horn

dated 1770
Not on view
A powder horn is a container usually made from an animal horn, and it is used for carrying gunpowder. This example is engraved with a rendition of the walled city of Charles Town, South Carolina (the name was changed to Charleston in 1783). In the recesses of the engraving some of the black and vermillion coloring is still preserved. This powder horn was acquired along with a shoulder belt (acc. no. 39.87b) in 1939. The belt is currently displayed with a different powder horn (37.131.16a).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Powder Horn
  • Date: dated 1770
  • Geography: Charleston, South Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina
  • Culture: American, Charleston, South Carolina
  • Medium: Horn (cow), wood (cherry)
  • Dimensions: L. 11 in. (27.9 cm); Diam. 3 in. (7.6 cm); Wt. 7.1 oz. (201.3 g)
  • Classification: Firearms Accessories-Powder Horns
  • Credit Line: The Collection of J. H. Grenville Gilbert, of Ware, Massachusetts, Gift of Mrs. Gilbert, 1939
  • Object Number: 39.87a, c
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

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Shoulder Belt for a Powder Horn, Glass, leather, European or Native American
Shoulder Belt for a Powder Horn
European or Native American
probably early 19th century
Powder Horn, Horn (cow), wood, Colonial American
Powder Horn
Colonial American
dated 1759
Powder Horn, Horn (cow), wood, pigment, Colonial American
Powder Horn
Colonial American
1763
Powder Horn, Jacob Gay American, Horn (cow), wood, Colonial American
Powder Horn
Jacob Gay
dated 1759
Powder Horn, Horn (cow), wood, pigment, Colonial American
Powder Horn
Colonial American
ca. 1765

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