Powderhorn
Carpathian Mountains, Romania or Hungary
Staghorn, iron
15.5" (39.5 cm) high
18th century

A large superb example of a rare type of powderhorn, this graceful object is fashioned from a staghorn branch with a separate cap and spout, which are fixed at present. Incised lines trace geometric talismanic patterns infilled with pigmented tallow in red and black, surely laden with symbolic meaning. There is a Croatian collection tag on the undecorated side which records something illegible, the source and date of acquisition:
Container (waybill?) ________
Source: Matinika Ves, Posavina
Purchase: 1970

For a similar example, see B. Borsos, Magyar Vadasz Loportartok (1982: Gyomaendrod. Corvina) P. 90, Pl 3, 18 and 19.
#9167 

$2500