1959.118.1

Save to My account Previous record Next record

Details

ID Number

1959.118.1

Category

T&E For Materials

Sub-category

food service T&E

Item Name

teaspoon

Materials

HORN

Description

Rat-tail handle; silver shield on handle

History

The hornsmith first sawed off both ends of the horn. After soaking the horn several days, he boiled or roasted it until it was soft. Once soft, he could slit it from end to end and flatten it between heated iron plates to which he applied pressure with a screw press. The hornsmith "tempered" the flattened sheets by plunging them still hot into cold water. Softened horn is surprisingly malleable and it was even possible to weld two pieces together in the hot press. Pressing not only clarified it but equalized the thickness somewhat. These horn "blanks" in fan like shapes could be sold to other craftsmen or made into spoons by the hornsmith by pressing between a press. Most commonly, the hornsmith made combs out of the blanks.

Collection Name

Museum Windsor

Subject (Fre)

Y

Subjects

Manufacturing subject