Drinking horn

Drinking horns: materials and dating

A drinking horn is a horn-shaped drinking vessel. Distinguish natural animal horn fitted with metal mounts from a vessel made entirely in metal. Describe each component separately.

Historical examples

The National Museum of Denmark’s Norwegian royal horn, dated to the early 14th century, has silver-gilt mounts with coats of arms and fantastic animals. Its Büsum horn combines an older horn with mounts mainly dated 1604. The vessel and its fittings can therefore have different dates.

A later silver example

A Danish silver horn examined at OBA has a figure finial, supports and engraved animal and scroll decoration. Its assay mark reads 1896, while the inscription includes 1884 and 1909. This specific observation illustrates the distinction between inscription dates and assay dates. Old Norse-inspired decoration alone does not make a horn medieval.

Inspection and condition

Record the lid, supports, terminal and every mark. Separate maker, assayer and fineness marks. Check for loose mounts, dents, cracks, worn engraving and soldering. Dark areas alone do not prove a repair; compare detail photographs and physical examination. Weight including the lid is a total weight and must not automatically be described as the weight of pure silver.

See silver fineness.

Sources

National Museum of Denmark: Norwegian royal horn, 10537 and Büsum horn, CMLIX. The Danish example is based on OBA’s own photographs and hallmark examination.