Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Scrimshaw powder horn, c. 1839

Scrimshaw powder horn, c. 1839

Scrimshaw powder horn, c. 1839

Artist unknown

Engraved horn

LR 23


The horn is from a bull called Traveller, who — according to the text engraved on the horn’s surface — was calved at Cow Pastures in 1819 and worked for 12 years at Norfolk Island for the government. Two absconding bushrangers then killed poor Traveller to make a boat with his hide, in order to escape from the island on 23 December. The provenance of the horn is unknown, so it remains a mystery as to why the tale of a cow called Traveller inspired the creation of this beautiful scrimshaw.


Engravings

The horn also features engravings of sailing ships above which are inscribed 'Victory' and 'Chasing and Smuggler'. Other decorations include Australian flora, an elephant, a canoe, fish, a kangaroo and emu, and a British coat of arms with the motto 'Dieu et Mon Droit’