Powder Horn of John Mahard
Dated 1756
Medium
Cowhorn, wood, iron
Dimensions
L. 12 3/8 in. (31.5 cm); greatest Diam. 2 3/4 in. (6.8 cm); Wt. 7 5/8 oz. (216 g)
Classification
Firearms Accessories-Powder Horns
Culture
Colonial American
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Friends of Arms and Armor Gifts, 2021
Accession Number
2021.429
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
This powder horn, crafted in 1756 by colonial artisan John Bush for owner John Mahard, exemplifies the blend of utility and personal expression in early American material culture. Made from cowhorn with wooden and fittings, the compact vessel—measuring just over twelve inches long—served as an essential accessory for carrying gunpowder in flintlock firearms. Its creation during the height of the French and Indian War situates it within a turbulent period when such items were vital for soldiers, militiamen, and frontiersmen navigating the colonial landscape. Bush’s work reflects the skilled cr...