Relics of the American West: 1850-1920
Lot 2069:
Description
This fascinating collection features two hand-wrought horn spoons and two heavy-duty bone or antler implements, likely dating from the 19th or early 20th century. The spoons exhibit the beautiful translucency and variegated grain typical of high-quality bovine horn, while the L-shaped tools appear to be crafted from dense bone; the larger of these features a cursive graphite or ink inscription that appears to read “Mrs. Mack Cheyenne,” marking it as a personalized piece of Wyoming pioneer history. Please note that this inscription is faint and partially obscured due to the natural texture of the bone and years of handling, requiring careful lighting to fully decipher. The accompanying tool is unique for the iron screws reinforced into its marrow-end, likely a “flesher” or scraper used in hide preparation. The items show honest age-related wear, including surface pitting, organic staining, and some thinning at the spoon edges, but remain structurally sound with a lovely natural patina. Largest spoon: H 16″, W 4″, D 3″. Smallest spoon: H 8.5″, W 1.75″, D 1.25″. Large implement: H 14″, W 4″, D 1.5″. Small implement: H 12″, W 4″, D 1.5″. Please see photos for condition.
Share this lot:
