OUTSTANDING 18TH CENTURY SCRIMSHAWED POWDER HORN.

OUTSTANDING 18TH CENTURY SCRIMSHAWED POWDER HORN. This powder horn inscribed, “NOEL TABER/1778” and decorations of various vignettes with colonial military themes. One vignette depicts the interior of a tavern with drinking figures, a Hessian soldier with drawn sword stands outside. Another shows a tiered bell tower with various colonial figures; the first a man and a woman, the second two gentleman with tri-corner hats shaking hands within an early brick building, the third vignette depicts two Hessian-style soldiers with drawn crossed swords, a fourth depicts the interior of a building with a fiddle player, various figures, one pouring ale and military figures stand at ready on the exterior of the building with arms while another Hessian soldier plays a violin outside. Another vignette depicts a hunter shooting one of various stags being driven towards him by dogs. In addition there is a series of engraved half round decorations at the base of the horn and also at the upper end of the horn. The decoration is extremely well done and by a reasonably accomplished hand. The upper portion of the horn carved with octagonal sides and decoratively turned ornamentation up near the tip. A preliminary search on Google indicates that there was a “Noel Taber” born in 1758 in Little Compton, Rhode Island. Another brief search indicates that there was a Noel Taber in June of 1814 listed as a private in the militia stationed at New Bedford. He was a private in the First Rhode Island Regt. During the Revolutionary War. He was also at Valley Forge. Information listed both officers and privates and went on to say that all of the members of this company were from New Bedford except Lt. Gray who was from Fairhaven, Charles Wood who was from Dartmouth and the last six named on the list that were from Freetown. Interestingly enough the records go on to state that a “Charles Gilbert was killed by a stupid sentinel stationed at the gun-house on Spin Street, near 6. He was going the rounds in the night inspecting the post, and not answering promptly at the first demand for the countersign, he was shot and instantly killed”. The guard in this case took his position quite seriously! SIZE: 16” on the curve. CONDITION: Horn is in generally excellent condition with a wonderful old honey-amber patina. The original stopper is missing at the spout, however original plug fitted with wooden pegs is still in place at the base and a small half-round iron brad mounted in the plug for carrying strap. A very pleasing and artistic horn. 4-39070 JR (2,500-4,500)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2591	$3,162.50	OUTSTANDING 18TH CENTURY SCRIMSHAWED POWDER HORN. This powder horn inscribed, “NOEL TABER/1778” and decorations of various vignettes with colonial military themes. One vignette depicts the interior of a tavern with drinking figures, a Hessian soldier with drawn sword stands outside. Another shows a tiered bell tower with various colonial figures; the first a man and a woman, the second two gentleman with tri-corner hats shaking hands within an early brick building, the third vignette depicts two Hessian-style soldiers with drawn crossed swords, a fourth depicts the interior of a building with a fiddle player, various figures, one pouring ale and military figures stand at ready on the exterior of the building with arms while another Hessian soldier plays a violin outside. Another vignette depicts a hunter shooting one of various stags being driven towards him by dogs. In addition there is a series of engraved half round decorations at the base of the horn and also at the upper end of the horn. The decoration is extremely well done and by a reasonably accomplished hand. The upper portion of the horn carved with octagonal sides and decoratively turned ornamentation up near the tip. A preliminary search on Google indicates that there was a “Noel Taber” born in 1758 in Little Compton, Rhode Island. Another brief search indicates that there was a Noel Taber in June of 1814 listed as a private in the militia stationed at New Bedford. He was a private in the First Rhode Island Regt. During the Revolutionary War. He was also at Valley Forge. Information listed both officers and privates and went on to say that all of the members of this company were from New Bedford except Lt. Gray who was from Fairhaven, Charles Wood who was from Dartmouth and the last six named on the list that were from Freetown. Interestingly enough the records go on to state that a “Charles Gilbert was killed by a stupid sentinel stationed at the gun-house on Spin Street, near 6. He was going the rounds in the night inspecting the post, and not answering promptly at the first demand for the countersign, he was shot and instantly killed”. The guard in this case took his position quite seriously! SIZE: 16” on the curve. CONDITION: Horn is in generally excellent condition with a wonderful old honey-amber patina. The original stopper is missing at the spout, however original plug fitted with wooden pegs is still in place at the base and a small half-round iron brad mounted in the plug for carrying strap. A very pleasing and artistic horn. 4-39070 JR (2,500-4,500) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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