September 26, 2018 O'Connor's Americana Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2018
This French and Indian War horn is inscribed in deeply engraved text: "FORT WILLIAM AUGU"
"STUS 1 7 6 3"
"GEO RGE RICKS LIGHT INFANTRY"
"M POUDER WITH MY BROTHER BALL : DOTH CONQUOR ALL"
"1763".
There is a large whimsical depiction of the British Coat of Arms engraved in the center of this horn. To the right of the seal are two pairs of dueling Highlanders. A large ship is pictured approaching Fort William Augustus (Fort Levit). This detailed fort, shown as built on an island, includes many cannons, barracks, assorted buildings and what appears to be a draw bridge. There is an extensive city scene of "MOUNTTR EAL", with the usual spires, architecture and the date "1763". The town of "LASHiEN" (Lachine, now part of Montreal) is also pictured in simple detail. Beside and below these town scenes are a horse and rider, which are pictured overcoming a stag.
This horn is fitted with a hardwood butt plug, now separating from the horn, which is comprised of concentric, stepped circles. This plug is secured with seven rather large wooden pins. There is a crudely carved border of geometric shapes below the plug. A neatly carved, scalloped edge decorates the beginning of the darker, recessed portion of the horn. There is a geometric border engraved along this edge, with crudely carved squares, triangles and dots. The tapering spout has a thick, rather large ring. This horn measures 14 " overall.
Condition: Very Good, as described. There is minimal wear from use, clouding of some of the architecture, but overall the engraving is crisp. The plug is chipped at its base and is separating from the horn. There is a one inch hairline crack at the tip of the spout.