Powder Horn
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Horn
Dimensions
L. 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm); Diam. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm); Wt. 5.3 oz. (150.3 g)
Classification
Firearms Accessories-Powder Horns
Culture
American
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of William B. Osgood Field, 1949
Accession Number
49.72.16
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of 18th-century American life with this elegant powder horn, a practical yet ingeniously crafted accessory for firearms. Fashioned from a single animal horn—likely bovine—measuring 9½ inches long and weighing just 5.3 ounces, it the resourcefulness of colonial makers. The smooth, translucent material was ideal for storing black powder safely, as its natural shape funneled contents easily while preventing spills during rugged travel. In an era of frontier exploration and the American Revolution, powder horns were essential for soldiers, hunters, and militiamen. This America...