Description:
Powder horn, inscribed "JOHN MASON HIS HORN YE 1772" The engraving on the horn depicts the Hudson, Mohawk, and Champlain Valleys. These areas were the ‘seat of war’ during the clash of empires in the 1750s and 1760s. (On other examples of powder horns usually only the first two valleys are seen.) The horn also features the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with the order of the Garter motto, "HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE" Many forts and towns along Hudson River, Mohawk River, and Lake Champlain are identified. The name "Iohn Mason his horn./ Year 1772" with a compass rose. The horn has very detailed engravings of towns, trees, windmills, and water. Professional engravers in seaports specialized in engraved "map" powder horns as souvenirs for British officers returning home and were not used in the field by citizen soldiers. (Many map horns have been found in Britain.) This example, however, while inspired by such powder horns, shares greater detail and understanding of the landscape and conveys more emotional investment with a deeper air of authenticity. The landscape is further detailed with tiny trees that bespeak an understanding of background treatments in engraving, as if the prototype were an actual map. John Mason was the owner of the horn and possibly its carver too. John Mason’s identity currently is unknown. The seller of this horn to the museum said that it had a history of ownership by a minister. A possible owner/maker was the Reverend John Mason (1734-1792), who was born in Linlithgowshire, Scotland, and emigrated to New York City in 1761. As an influential Presbyterian minister and Whig, he was banished from Manhattan during the Revolution and became the chaplain to the American forces stationed at West Point. It is not known what role he was playing in 1772 when this horn is dated. Condition: The horn is in superior condition with even wear and a natural, unvarnished surface.
Tags:
maps Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2021.20 |
