January 16, 2020 The Susquehanna Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/16/2020
This very well documented powder horn is pictured on pages 198-199 of "Folk Art of Early America, The Engraved Powder Horn" by Jim Dresslar. It is also featured on page 97 of "American Engraved Powder Horns: The Golden Age, 1755-1783" by John S. duMont. It is also shown in "Engraved Powder Horns from the Collection of James E. Routh, Jr." from the exhibition in the Georgia Museum in March of 2000. The horn has a tapered, curved body of about 17" overall. Features a rounded, tapered spout section with a relief ring at the tip and a larger relief band towards the carved section featuring a scalloped edge. The engraved portion also features a scalloped edge as well as a stylized British crest engraved in the center. There is also a town and a bust of a gentleman, a fish with a human face, and other foliate and geometric designs. The nine-line inscription is completely in German and translates to "Herkimer's battle in the year 1777, Aug. 6 (Battle of Oriskany). My wide Rebecca and children Elizabeth, Abraham, Maria Schreibber were captured in the year 1780. Aug. 7. The 77 Psalm, 11 Verse: But I said: I must endure this: The right hand of the highest can change everything; Johann Steffahn Schreibber in the year 1782, Oct. 28 FL.". The "FL" inscribed after the inscription is the signature of the engraver Frietrich Leppert. Two horns are known by this artist, both of which are in this sale. Both have similar characteristics and combined the traditions of three cultures: Palatine-German, British Colonial, and American Provincial. Herkimer's Battle, also known as the Battle of Oriskany, was one of the bloodiest defeats suffered by Provincial forces. 800 German troops under the command of Herkimer marched into a deadly ambush on August 6th, 1777 on their way to relieve Fort Stanwicks after receiving news that 2,000 British regulars, Mohawk Valley Tories, Canadians, and Indians were approaching the fort. Many of the men were killed or wounded including General Herkimer. Schreibber is listed as having served in the 1st Regiment of the Tryon County Militia during the Revolution and he participated in this battle. The horn is nearly engraved with a professional engraving tool, shows cross-hatching between the lines, and the engraving is darkened with pigment. The convex wooden plug retains an old coat of red paint and is secured with seven wooden pegs. There is an extension lobe which is scalloped and has two holes for sling attachment. This horn is complete with a file of provenance regarding the Battle of Oriskany and copies of New York Revolutionary Way records listing Schreibber. CONDITION: Very good overall. The main body retains a pleasing, even, honey patina. There is one chip absent on the lobe and a few scattered marks overall. There is one minor area on the spout section which has been filled. An extremely important and attractive Revolutionary War powder horn. PROVENANCE: Ex James E. Routh, Jr. Collection.