Horn Spoon: Artistry in Everyday Use
Horn Serving Spoon
61.433
Circa 1800-1880
Material: Horn
Description
In the 19th century, horn was a popular material for kitchen instruments and utensils due to its availability and versatility.
The gelatin in animal horns made the material malleable when heated, allowing it to be softened in boiling water, flattened, cut into sheets, shaped, and polished.
Skilled artisans used traditional techniques passed down through generations to craft each horn spoon, resulting in unique pieces with variations in color and pattern that made them both functional and decorative.
Fun Fact!
One of the earliest known horn spoons was discovered in the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, who reigned during the 18th dynasty. Made from cow horn and adorned with intricate hieroglyphs, this artifact highlights the long-standing importance of horn spoons in ancient cultures.