Engraved Zulu Cow Horn

Description

Engraved Zulu Cow Horn -19th Century

Advanced research and studies on the images on these engraved horns determined that they were the visual narratives encountered between British soldiers and Zulu regiments. This was mainly a part of the Anglo-Zulu War held in 1879 and its other surrounding events. Interestingly enough, a few of these horns ended up in private collections and museums after being auctioned at The Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886 in London England. These were collected as objects of curiosity and rare artwork.

Details of the Horn Engraving
The vignettes portray a visual narrative of Anglo-Zulu wars of 1879 with a remarkable unique and detailed making too. This includes the smooth scraping of the horns surface for an even background. Additionally, the fine lines of the engravings ensure that a very sharp blade or a fine point was the tool used here.Some other detailing on these engraved horns includes: The finely incised lines of engravings blackened with soot and fat mixture (for a detailed image). The engravings present a visual narrative of some particular experiences of the colonial life, seen by the artists eyes. A constant military theme is present throughout including soldiers marching, mounted on horseback, or in a band. Zulu impi in an organized formation.This extremely rare horn is a treasury of beautifully crafted images consisting of unique engravings and extreme detail that portray colonial life by a Zulu native.

A Few Known Engraved Zulu Horns:

– Natal Museum, South Africa – 176, 176A
– British Museum, London, United – Af 1960,08.1,
– Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA – 83-8-1.1
– Iziko Museums of Cape Town South Africa – ISANG 2003/13
– Amafa KwaZulu Cultural Museum Ulundi, South Africa – C
– Glenbow Museum, Calgary Canada – R 360-76
– Hamburg Museum, Germany – 22.29.1

Reference:

Davison, Patricia. (2016). Visual narratives of the Anglo-Zulu war: Cattle horns engraved by an unknown African artist. 28. 81-101.

Davison, Patricia. (1976). Some Nguni crafts: the uses of horn, bone and ivory. Annals of the South African Museum 70(2): 79-155.

Maggs, T. 1990. A glimpse of colonial life through Zulu eyes: 19th century engraved cattle horns from

Natal. Natal Museum Journal of the Humanities 2: 143-162.

British Museum

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Special thanks to Dr. Patricia Davison for her assistance and academic work on Engraved Cattle Horns, 19th C. SA.

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