Powder Horns are the perfect way to combine two artistic disciplines: carving and fingerweaving. They were worn bandolier style and carried gun powder for reloading muskets in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Choosing Sides
The experience of the Cherokee during the Civil War was extremely complicated due to many factors of both time and place, culminating in a powder keg.
The routes taken on the Trail of Tears are an eerie drop shadow of the Mason-Dixon line spread across the southern states. This forced removal destroyed the tribe and created deep divisions that led to resentment and bloodshed within Indian Territory. Despite the animosity and despair, for a time the tribe flourished in a Golden Age of language and education. This brief period of respite was interrupted by the eruption of the American Civil War. This reopened old wounds, which split the tribe into opposing camps pitting brother against brother and neighbor against neighbor. Indian Territory itself became the battlefield, turning into a lawless wasteland, which forced the tribe to start over yet again. Despite constant adversity, the Cherokee people keep getting back up and moving forward, reminding us of the resiliency and adaptability of this strong people. Carved and painted 19th century style powder horn with fingerwoven wool strap in the Southern Diamond style, swapping color schemes down each side. Best of Division Traditional Diverse Arts, 2022 Cherokee Art Market SOLD |
Starlit River
Powder horn carved with pre-European contact moundbuilder water motif. Oblique fingerwoven strap.
Horn constructed by artist with American Bison horn in the 18th century style. Strap woven with 100% wool fingering weight yarn with size 10 glass Czech seed beads. 1st Place Traditional Arts, 2013 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show SOLD |