Description:
Powder horn inscribed “Made / Nathaniel Selkrig At No 4 March th 15 1758 / Street Firing / Make Ready Present / Fire / I Powder With My Brother Ball A Herow Like Do Concor all / W A R / Drums A beating Collers Flieing Trumpeths Sounding Men / A Dieing These are The Bloode Affects of Wars,” which is attributed to the Selkirk-Page Carver, Fort Number Four (Charlestown). Nathaniel Selkrig probably carved this horn for his own use in the style inspired by John Bush (1725-1757). His comrade, Samuel Lounsbury, may have begun the work. Their combined craftsmanship defines the apex of Lake George carving, highlighted by stylized illuminated lettering, especially of the word “WAR,” which may have been inspired by printed military commissions. Especially noteworthy are the cartoon-like soldiers, including the vignette where they march in formation under the command of their officers who carry a halberd and the regimental colors. Facing them are mounted troops, rare in colonial warfare. The horn is partly burned. Nathaniel Selkrig is listed in Colonel Phineas Lyman’s Connecticut Regiment during the 1757 campaign, and served regularly until 1762. Selkrig carved his horn while volunteering in Captain Reuben Ferris’ Company of Rangers at Fort Number Four (Charlestown, N.H.) from November 1757 to May 1758.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2005.20.14 |
