Powder Horn (Parpanggalahan)

ClassificationsArms and Armor-powder containers

Culture Batak

Datelate 19th Century

Made AtNorth Sumatra Province, Indonesia, Asia

MediumWood, string and glass beads

Dimensions13 1/2 × 7 1/2 × 2 in. (34.3 × 19.1 × 5.1 cm)
Without handle: 13 1/2 × 3 1/4 × 2 in. (34.3 × 8.3 × 5.1 cm)

Credit LineGift of the Goldenberg Estate and the Sweeney Family

Object number2018.10.5

DescriptionThis is a skeuomorphic gun powder horn, also known as a parpanggalahan, originating from the Batak of Indonesia. Prior to colonial control, most Batak homes kept a store of gunpowder for use with their muzzle-loaded weapons. Village chiefs could afford to carry small supplies of gunpowder with them in these horns, which were traditionally made with water buffalo horn but we see here was carved in wood to appear to be made out of buffalo horn.

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