Powder Horn

Jacob Gay

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

One of the most prolific horn carvers, Jacob Gay is thought to have relocated from Nova Scotia to New England in about 1755, settling in New Hampshire. This horn is engraved with a map of the Hudson Valley and the forts from Albany to the Great Lakes, the British coat of arms, and the name of the owner, Iotham Bemus.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art