POWDER HORN. SPAIN, 19TH CENTURY.

Powder keg. Engraved horn, rope, cork. Spain, 19th century. A container for storing gunpowder made from a cow's horn and decorated on the outside with a series of figurative, geometric and vegetal engravings and inscriptions enhanced with dark or black ink or dye. The decoration is arranged in horizontal bands, with some elements enhanced with "frames" of crossed lines, and one can clearly see Latin crosses, floral elements, a coiled snake, various human figures (note in particular the male figures at the top, with firearms), quadrupeds, birds, fish and inscriptions in capital letters (names such as Manuel, intertwined initials...). Also known as “horns”, these types of vessels were usually made not by skilled and specialized workers, but by shepherds, ranchers, etc., using their own names, important elements from their area or for themselves, or motifs of great tradition in a certain area in their decoration. Compare this with the one by Pedro Doncel, dated 1855 and preserved in the Museum of Olivenza (Spain), or the one from 1883 in the Museo del Traje in Madrid (Spain).

· Size: 27x8x7 cms.