September 29, 2021 The Bill Myers Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/29/2021
This powder horn is featured on pages 126-127 of "Folk Art of Early America: The Engraved Powder Horn" by Jim Dresslar and page 94 of "Accouterments IV" by James R. Johnston. It was also published in the May 1989 edition on pages 2-4 of the Pennsylvania Antique Gun Collector's Association's "Monthly Bugle" by T.H. Payne. The horn measures 14-1/4" overall and is attributed to engraver Jacob Gay, who engraved between 1758 and 1787. There is a neat cartouche on the center of the front of the horn that reads "1701/JACOB/Knox:s/ Horn". To the left, along the base of the horn is a large British crest. On the back of the horn are several large engraved animals including one labeled "THE LAMIA" with a human face, one labeled "LEOPARD", another "MANEATER", an "ELKE", a "POTTO" and a "REIN DER". The spout section its tapered and round with a relief ring below and at the spout opening. The slightly convex wooden plug has an iron staple for strap attachment. The horn is accompanied by a large binder of provenance, family history, letters from authorities and original photographs associated with the Knox family. The binder includes a copy of the Monthly Bugle featuring this powder horn. The horn was passed down in the Maumee Valley to the Ovitt family before being bequeathed to Ted Payne according to documents provided from the family and recorded in "Wood County History of Ohio". According to the story handed down in the Ovitt Family, James Knox, Jacob's son, upon returning from obtaining provisions, found his wife and children murdered and his cabin in ashes. He hunted down the renegade Indian and found the horn in his possession and avenged his family. In 1848, he gave the horn to John W. Ovitt. Included is a letter detailing this and signed by Merle A. Ovitt. Included are photographs of 8 previous owners of the horn. Three of them are photographed with the horn. There is also a note of sale from Ted Payne to Bill Myers. Also included is a signed and notarized document signed by Ruby Ovitt detailing the descent of the powder horn in the family. There is also a hand written letter from Walter O'Connor verifying that the horn is engraved in Jacob Gay's hand and dates to about 1770. Walter then gives details of other known Jacob Gay horns and their attributes. CONDITION: Retaining a dark honey patina overall. The flange at the butt was one for carrying a strap attachment and was removed or broke during the period of use. On the back there is a separated age crack of about 3" and three hairline cracks along the spout. A very pleasing and well documented horn by a desirable engraver. DMG