Powder Horns from The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jacob Gray

American, New York

recorded 1758-87

A powder horn, a container usually made from an animal horn, is used for carrying gunpowder. This example is engraved with a map of the Hudson valley and the forts from Albany to the Great Lakes, the British coat of arms, and the name of the owner, Jotham Bemus (1738–1786). Many early American powder horns were decorated by their owners. Others, like this horn, were the work of professional engravers.

ca. 1762

Length: 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm) Weight: 0.622 lb (282 g)

Peter Robinson

1767

American

Cow horn, iron alloy and copper alloy fittings

Length 13 1/4 inches (33.7 cm) Weight 0.825 pounds (374 g)

18th century

American

Length 15 1/2 in. ( 39.37 cm)

Inscribed and dated: 10THAM Bemus / his horn maed Septr / the 30 1759; also, I powder with my brother / ball most hero Like doth / Conquer all; scattered words

Copy and images from The Metropolitan Museum.