AMER WINTER 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Thursday, February 8, 2018.
CIRCA 1836 TANSEL FAMILY POWDER HORN FROM DIRECT FAMILY DESCENT, "AS FOUND".The Tansel family was probably the most famous and prodigious of 19th century American powder horn engravers. This 12" horn exhibits classic, well executed Tansel designs, 4" spread-winged eagle with riband below arc reading "E. PLURIBUS UNUM" and twenty-five stars. The eagle is gripping arrows in one talon and a very long and detailed olive branch in the other. Also carved is a well figured lion, a stag and another beast. There is also a cannon carved above a serpent. Classic fish mouth engrailing enhanced with v-notch cuts at spout end with drapery border at both ends. This horn is unsigned, so we don't know which son of Francis Tansel made it, but based on the twenty-five stars, we can date this horn most likely to the year 1836 as there was only a one year period in American history when we had twenty-five states. Andrew Jackson was President of the United States when Arkansas was admitted to the Union June 15, 1836. Michigan became the twenty-sixth state, July 4, 1837. Not accompanied by stand. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Keller/Hottel family direct descent, family still maintains long rifle that accompanied it. CONDITION: This horn saw long use in the field as the side that would rub against the hunting bag is worn quite smooth and lost all of its scrimshawed pattern, but horn has been well cared for with a good patina with some weathering as can be seen in photos. 52827-1 JGS (3,000-5,000)