Bone Historical Memorabilia

Powder Horn Engraving by Charles Goodrich 1776 Powder horns stand among the rarest and most treasured forms of American folk art. Unlike commercial objects, these deeply personal items were crafted by soldiers, sailors and explorers for practical use during their journeys. Through scrimshaw—an intricate technique of engraving bone or horn with a simple jackknife and filling the crevices with available pigments like soot or ash—these individuals left tangible marks of their hopes, dreams and experiences. This exceptional American Revolutionary War powder horn belonged to Charles Goodrich (1720-1816), a significant figure in early Pittsfield, Massachusetts history. The horn displays distinctive period characteristics with the inscription "PITTSFIELD" clearly visible on its amber-colored surface. Charles Goodrich, born in Wethersfield, Connecticut in 1720, became a prominent civic leader in Pittsfield. He built the first house in the settlement in 1754 and served in various official roles, including Justice of the Peace and town representative to Boston. While Goodrich's name may not appear prominently in history textbooks, historical documents—particularly his September 3, 1776 petition to the Massachusetts Assembly—reveal his compelling story. The petition shows that Goodrich faced accusations of being a British sympathizer and draft evader. According to his account, he was targeted for his public office, physically assaulted by a man named James Morey and subsequently fined by a local committee. Goodrich maintained that he merely defended himself when attacked and claimed ignorance of requirements to either serve as a drafted soldier or hire a substitute—accusations that branded him unpatriotic during the revolutionary fervor. The Massachusetts Council's concurrence with Goodrich's petition likely inspired his subsequent military service. His powder horn, bearing the inscription of Pittsfield, accompanied him to Fort Ticonderoga, where Simonds' Regiment of Militia (2nd Berkshire County Regiment) was stationed during the difficult winter of 1776-1777. Fort Ticonderoga, a strategic stronghold in upstate New York, had been seized from the British in May 1775 by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold. By the time of Goodrich's service, American forces occupied the fort while preparing for an expected British counterattack. In August 1777, Goodrich and Simonds' Regiment participated in the Battle of Bennington—a decisive engagement where Patriot forces under General John Stark defeated British and Hessian troops. This victory significantly weakened General John Burgoyne's invasion force, contributing to his surrender at Saratoga in October 1777—a pivotal turning point that helped secure French support for the American cause. Powder horns captivate elite collectors and major museums alike. The Metropolitan Museum of Art recognized their significance by dedicating an entire exhibition to American Engraved Powder Horns...

Antique Carved Bone Hand Whistle Walking Stick Cane. Offered for sale is an antique bone-handled walking stick that has a carved hand for the ha...

Antique Japanese Carved, Silver, Bone Dagger Walking Stick Offered for sale is an antique carved wood-handled walking stick that has a dagger concealed...

A rare and fine example of a Wooly Mammoth Tusk set upon a custom made bronzed base. Late Pleistocene Period circa 35,000 years ago Superb example...

This collection comprises 97 varied antique fishing ‘priests’, or despatchers, diligently collected by Dave Watson over several decades, made from a var...

An incredible and extremely rare artifact of world history, this monumental model of the HMS Victory was created during the Napoléonic Wars by a French pri...

This prisoner of war bone wall panel has a central roundel depicting Charles I and four of his closest advisors, William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, George Villers, Duke of Buckingham...

An extremely rare Jamaican engraved tortoiseshell comb-case with two combs Former British Jamaica, circa 1670, inscribed and dated ‘Sarah Henly, ...

A Pennsylvania etched powder horn, late 18th to early 19th century. Showing a view of Philadelphia and of Allentown with map to various towns wrapping around the horn. End probably r...

French antique Boulle cabinet. Wood is decorated with inlaid brass and turtle, bronze details outside. Inside the cabinet there are two shelves. Cabinet top is marble. Perfect co...

This wooden cabinet is designed in the Boulle style. This style was very popular around the time of Napoleon III. The characteristic of this style is the use of small pieces of wood in furniture, inlaid designs with many different materials: precious wood, precious stones, enamel, ivory, seashells, metal, marble etc. In addition, to express the royal style, the "Boulle" style also uses a large amount of gilded copper on the furniture, such as tiger claw decoration, mirror border decoration, leaf decoration, etc. The main elementsof this cabinet is ebony and turtle shell, with decorative details and gilded legs. This is a pretty prominent highlight in the overall black and gold color scheme. Moreover, the head of a woman is in the middle of the cabinet with waves in her hair and grape vines could be representing the Greek goddes of spring Spring. Surrounding the head are beautiful acanthus motifs incorporated in every layer and surface of the cabinet. Symmetricallly on the left and right side of the head are two identical faces, with one being the lock of the cabinet where key goes. The four corners of the cabinet have blooming carnations to create a feeling of spring coming. The details are collaged, decorated with golden bronze leaves in a classic French style. On the edges of the cabinet are sculptures of two women wrapped around with cloth and leaves. Through it, the author highlights the beauty of the woman's status in the past. On the side panels of the cabinet is placed a gilded face of a man with wings...

These bone brushes were made in Belgium circa,1960. Patterned after traditional asian calligraphy brushes, these curious implements are meticulously crafted from ox bone...