Object description
Dating to the 15th century AD, this horn is thought to be from northern Germany or Scandinavia. It is typical of those made in northern Europe between the 10th and 17th centuries AD.
This horn is characteristic of the late medieval “Griffin’s Foot” or “Dragon’s Foot” style in which the feet are made separately and soldered on. The horn is curved and decorated with bands of bronze-gilt running vertically down the horn. Silver gilt mounts decorate the horn in bands with stylised foliage.
The rim is riveted in place and is decorated with incised and hatched work. It also bears an inscription, thought to have been added in the 16th century. The terminal has incised ornamentation of foliage and a brambled knob.
Drinking horn/Animal,Horn, Metal,silver (gilded)/15th century AD/The Hunt Collection/PD
Drinking horn/Animal,Horn, Metal,silver (gilded)/15th century AD/The Hunt Collection/PD
Drinking horns
Drinking horns are very much associated with Scandinavia. Some archaeological finds from graves in Denmark have revealed drinking horns which date to the Iron Age. In addition, written evidence concerning Norse mythology illustrates that drinking horns were also an important part of Viking culture. Horns found in Scandinavia are made using the horns of aurochs, a large bovine, now extinct, that lived throughout Europe. A large number of drinking horns are on display in the National Museum of Denmark (see image below).
The horns became less popular between the 11th and 13th century. This is thought to be due to the widespread conversion to Christianity- drinking horns carried connotations of paganism. It is perhaps ironic that, from the 13th century, the horns became associated with Christianity through the “Three Wise Men” and the anointing of Christ.
Drinking horns were often given as gifts and to seal land and other legal agreements.
A famous example is the Kavanagh Charter Horn, which resides in the National Museum of Ireland. It is a ceremonial drinking vessel symbolising the Kavanagh and McMurrough family’s claim to the kingship of Leinster. It takes the form of an elephant ivory tusk held in a brass stand. The craftsman’s name, Tigernanus O’Lavan, is inscribed on the rim.
Drinking horn with gilded bronze rim. 15th century AD. Credit: National Museum of Denmark.
Sources
Nestor, Sophia. “Ancient DNA analysis of Scandinavian medieval drinking horns and the horn of the last aurochs bull”. Journal of Archaeological Science. 2018. pp 47-54. https://www.academia.edu/100258669.
Ó Floinn, Raghnall. “Irish Goldsmiths’ Work of the Later Middle Ages.” Irish Arts Review Yearbook, vol. 12, 1996, pp. 35–44. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20492877.
The Hunt Museum Essential Guide. Scala Publishers. 2002.
