Ivory in color, pouring spout dark. Rounded wood base with shield shaped decorative wood stopper which is hand carved. Light portion of horn completely covered with etchings.
REGULARS, the/AGGRESSORS. 19th Apr' 1775.; LIBERTY/TREE.; PROVINCIALS,/DEFENDING.; IAMES PIKE'S HORN/Made by him at Somerfworth, march ye 12th, 1776
Object History
There were many "James Pikes" on Revolutionary War rosters, but the owner of this powder horn likely fought with the Haverhill, Massachusetts, militia in the Battle of Bunker Hill at age twenty-three. The Tree of Liberty that militiaman James Pike carved on this powder horn was the most common symbol of the ideals of the American Revolution. It symbolized defiance of arbitrary authority and the fight of people to be ruled by representatives of their own choice.
Subject Description
Etchings : six soldiers lined up and underneath: "Regulars, the Aggressors 19 Apr. 1775."; tree with words "Liberty Tree" below. Right side is a line of five soldiers with "Provincials defending". also "James Pike's Horn - made by him at Somer , March ye 12, 1776". there are also animals and the British Coat of Arms engraved on the horn.
