Horn, Powder
- Object Name:
- Horn, Powder
- Object ID:
- 2022.003
- Place of Origin:
- New Hampshire
- Date:
- 1799
- Description:
- Powder Horn. Owned by Peter C. Farnum (1778-1816) of Concord and Hopkinton, NH. Hand-carved horn with pine plug secured by iron tacks. Scalloped edge near tip. Whimsical animals, birds, vines, trees, flowers, human figures, a three-masted sailing ship, and a house carved around body. Inscription: "PETER FARNUM his horn A.D. 1799" carved in block letters along side. Paper label adhered to pine plug, printed "RETURN TO / DWIGHT BLANEY, ESQ. / 82 MT. VERNON ST. / BOSTON, MASS." and handwritten in ink, "Peter Farnum. / lived on Birch Hill / Hopkinton, N.H."
- Material:
- Horn
Wood - Dimensions:
- L-13 inches
- Provenance:
- This powder horn originally belonged to Peter C. Farnum (1778-1816), son of Ephraim and Abigail (Stevens) Farnum of Concord, NH. Peter Farnum married Phebe Ballard Abbott (1779-1816) on March 27, 1804. He lived on a farm on the Concord-Hopkinton town line and practiced medicine in the Concord area. He was active in the Central Music Society, Concord; Blazing Star Lodge, F. & A. M., Concord; and served as assistant clerk of the New Hampshire State Senate beginning in 1810. 1816 was known as the year without summer, when winter-like conditions persisted in New England, including snow falling as late as June. Peter Farnum died at Boscawen of fever on April 18, 1816, with his wife Phebe dying one week later. Their deaths were part of an epidemic of "spotted fever" that had appeared in New England during the fall of 1815 and persisted through the spring of 1816.
The paper label on pine plug indicates the powder horn was owned by artist and antiquarian Dwight Blaney (1865-1944), Boston, MA, during the early 20th century. Lot 1165A, American Furniture and Decorative Arts, Timed Auction, Skinner, Inc., November 23, 2020; purchased by the donors. - Credit Line:
- Gift of William W. Upton and Mr. and Mrs. James L. Garvin
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