Gunpowder horn

The most widespread and richly decorated containers were made of deer horn in a Y-shape. Due to its common use, the shape of a horn became closely associated with gunpowder containers so that they were usually called ‘powder horns’.

The finial of the horn was closed with horn pegs while the measurement chamber and an applying barrel were attached to the base end. They were well honed and ornamented with engravings, and sometimes they were even coloured.