Adiel Sharwood his Powder Horn

A rare New York Map Powder Horn, American circa 1770, probably made professionally but in every way an iconic work of American folk art. Engraved with the owner's name 'Adiel Sharwood Leiut N.Y. Regiment his horn' and a map of New York and environs with a meandering river system, (the Hudson), towns with representative buildings and forts; an angry mermaid above a ship at sea. overall length approx. 13 inches. Plug missing, old crack and a small loss at the rim.

A profile head (and a cutter yacht) beside NEWCITY by another hand, perhaps that of Adiel Sharwood and perhaps his portrait. In 1633 three brothers left England on a ship bound for America, one of these, a Dr. Thomas Sherwood, was the great grandfather of our horn owner, Adiel Sherwood. In 1760, Adiel and his father Seth settled at Fort Edwards, forty-five miles north of New York City, on the East bank of the Hudson. Adiel was an officer during the revolutionary war and, when in charge of twelve men, was sent from Fort Ticonderoga with supplies for General Arnold, who was fleeing the British. On two following occasions Adiel went with Arnold to relieve a post near Utica, New York, and was twice placed in command of Fort Ann. On the second occasion he was captured by the British and taken to Montreal with both his father and brother; this was in around 1780. On his release he returned to New York and in 1783 was elected to the State Legislature. It is recorded that during the cold winter of 1783, George Washington, both going to and returning from a trip further north, spent a night as a guest of the Sherwoods. Fort Edward, with the fort symbol, is engraved adjacent to the man’s profile, neighbouring this is the fort of Tico (deroga). Mon(t)real is to be seen nearby our angry mermaid.

Price

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

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